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HYMNS 


MEDITATIONS. 


BY 

AXXA  LETITIA  TTARIXG. 


SSitb  Selections  from  Srfreral  Authors. 


PHILADELPHIA: 

BOOK  ASSOCIATION  OF  FRIENDS, 

No.  1316  Filbert  Street. 

1884. 


HYMNS  AND  MEDITATIONS. 


"  My  times  are  in  Thy  hand." — Psalm  xxxi.  15. 

Father,  I  know  that  all  my  life 

Is  portioned  out  for  me, 
And  the  changes  that  are  sure  to  come, 

I  do  not  fear  to  see ;     . 
But  I  ask  Thee  for  a  present  mind 

Intent  on  pleasing  Thee. 

I  ask  Thee  for  a  thoughtful  love, 
Through  constant  watching  wise, 

To  meet  the  glad  with  joyful  smiles, 
And  to  wipe  the  weeping  eyes; 

And  a  heart  at  leisure  from  itself, 
To  soothe  and  sympathize. 

I  would  not  have  the  restless  will, 
That  hurries  to  and  fro, 


HYMNS    AND    MEDITATIONS. 

Seeking  for  some  great  thing  to  do, 

Or  secret  thing  to  know  : 
I  would  be  treated  as  a  child, 

And  guided  where  I  go. 

Wherever  in  the  world  I  am, 

In  whatsoe'er  estate, 
I  have  a  fellowship  with  hearts 

To  keep  and  cultivate; 
And  a  work  of  lowly  love  to  do 

For  the  Lord  on  whom  I  wait- 
So  I  ask  Thee  for  the  daily  strength, 

To  none  that  ask  denied, 
|  And  a  mind  to  blend  with  outward  life 

While  keeping  at  Thy  side ; 
Content  to  till  a  little  space, 

If  Thou  be  glorified. 

And  if  some  things  I  do  not  ask 

In  my  cup  of  blessing  be, 
I  would  have  my  spirit  filled  the  more 

With  grateful  love  to  Thee— 
More  careful — than  to  serve  Thee  much, 

To  please  Thee  perfectly. 

There  arc  briers  besetting  every  path, 

That  call  lor  patient  care  ; 
There  is  a  cross  in  every  lot, 

And  an  earnest  need  forprayerj 


HYMNS    AND    MEDITATIONS.  5 

But  a  lonely  heart  that  leans  on  Thee 
Is  happy  anywhere. 

In  a  service  which  Thy  will  appoints, 

There  are  no  bonds  for  me; 
For  my  inmost  heart  is  taught  "the  truth" 

That  makes  Thy  children  "free;" 
And  a  life  of  self-renouncing  love 

Is  a  life  of  liberty. 


.      II. 

"  Thou  maintainest  my  lot." — Psalm  xvi.  5. 

Source  of  my  life's  refreshing  springs, 
Whose  presence  in  my  heart  sustains  me, 

Thy  love  appoints  me  pleasant  things, 
Thy  mercy  orders  all  that  pains  me. 

If  loving  hearts  were  never  lonely, 
If  all  they  wish  might  always  be, 

Accepting  what  they  look  for  only, 
They  might  be  glad,  bat  not  in  Thee. 

Well  may  Thy  own  beloved,  who  see 
In  all  their  lot  their  Father's  pleasure, 

1 


HYMNS    AND    MEDITATIONS. 

Bear  loss  of  all  they  love,  save  Thee, 
Their  living,  everlasting  treasure. 

Well  may  Thy  happy  children  cease 
From  restless  wishes  prone  to  sin, 

And,  in  Thy  own  exceeding  peace, 
Yield  to  Thy  daily  discipline. 

We  need  as  much  the  cross  we  hear, 
As  air  we  breathe — as  light  we  see  ; 

It  draws  us  to  Thy  side  in  prayer, 
It  binds  us  to  our  strength  in  Thee. 


III. 

/    "If  ye  shall  ask  any  thing  in  my  name,  I  will  do  it." — 
John  xiv.  11. 

My  prayer  to  the  promise  shall  cling — 
I  will  not  give  heed  to  a  doubt; 

For  I  ask  for  the  one  needful  thing, 
Which  I  cannot  be  happy  without. 

A  spirit  of  lowly  repose 

In  the  love  of  the  Lamb  that  was  slain, 
A  heart  to  be  touched  with  His  woes, 

And  a  care  uot  to  grieve  Him  a  grain  : 


HYMNS    AND    MEDITATIONS. 

The  peace  that  my  Saviour  has  bought, 
The  cheerfulness  nothing  can  dim, 

The  love  that  can  bring  every  thought 
Into  perfect  obedience  to  Him: 

The  wisdom  His  mercy  to  own 

In  the  way  He  directs  me  to  take, — 

To  glory  in  Jesus  alone, 

And  to  love,  and  do  good,  for  His  sake, 

All  this  Thou  hast  offered  to  me 
In  the  promise  whereon  I  will  rest; 

For  faith,  O  my  Saviour,  in  Thee, 
Is  the  substance  of  all  my  request. 

Thy  word  has  commanded  my  prayer, 
Thy  Spirit  has  taught  me  to  pray; 

And  all  my  unholy  despair 
Is  ready  to  vanish  away. 

Thou  wilt  not  be  weary  of  me, 

Thy  promise  my  faith  will  sustain, 

And  soon  very  soon  I  shall  see 

That  I  have  not  been  asking  in  vain. 


HYMNS    AND    MEDITATIONS. 


1Y. 

"  I,  even  I,  am  he  that  comforteth  you." — Isaiah  1l  12. 

Sweet  is  the  solace  of  Thy  love, 
My  Heavenly  Friend,  to  me, 

While  through  the  hidden  way  of  faith 
I  journey  home  with  Thee, 

Learning  by  quiet  thankfulness 
As  a  dear  child  to  be. 

Though  from  the  shadow  of  Thy  peace 
My  feet  would  often  stray, 

Thy  mercy  follows  all  my  steps, 
And  will  not  turn  away; 

Yea,  Thou  wilt  comfort  me  at  last, 
As  none  beneath  Thee  may. 

Oft  in  a  dark  and  lonely  place, 
I  hush  my  hastened  breath, 

To  hear  the  comfortable  words 
Thy  loving  Spirit  saith.j 

And  feel  my  safety  in  Thy  hand 
From  vvcry  kind  of  death. 

O  there  is  nothing  in  the  world 
To  weigh  againsl  Thy  will; 


HYMNS    AND    MEDITATIONS. 

Even  the  dark  times  I  dread  the  most 

Thy  covenant  fulfil  j 
And  when  the  pleasant  morning  dawns, 

I  find  Thee  with  me  still. 

No  other  comforter  I  need, 

If  Thou,  O  Lord,  be  mine  : 
Thy  rod  will  bring  my  spirit  low, 

Thy  fire  my  heart  refine, 
And  cause  me  pain  that  none  can  heal 

By  other  love  than  Thine. 

Then  in  the  secret  of  my  soul, 
Though  hosts  my  peace  invade, — 

Though  through  a  waste  and  weary  land 
My  lonely  way  be  made, — 

Thou,  even  Thou,  wilt  comfort  me, 
I  need  not  be  afraid. 

Still  in  the  solitary  place 

I  would  a  while  abide, 
Till  with  the  solace  of  Thy  love 

My  heart  is  satisfied 
And  all  my  hopes  of  happiness 

Stay  calmly  at  Thy  side. 


10  HYMNS    AND    MEDITATIONS. 


V.  • 

"I  will  pour  water  on  him  that  is  thirsty,  and  floods  upon  the 
dry  ground." — Isaiah  xliv.  3. 

Source  of  my  spirit's  deep  desire 
For  living  joys  that  shall  not  perish, 

The  patient  hope  Thy  words  inspire 
Still  let  Thy  tender  mercy  cherish. 

On  Thee  my  humbled  soul  would  wait, 
Her  utmost  weakness  calmly  learning, 

And  see  Thy  grace  its  way  create, 

Through  thorns  and  briers  which  Thou 
art  burning.* 

Gladly  my  inmost  heart  would  know 
The  love  that  now  it  faintly  traces, 

And  see  the  streams  from  Zion  now 
O'er  all  its  waste  and  desert  places. 

And  still  I  hope — O  not  in  vain  ! 

I  know,  this  holy  seed  possessing, 
Thou  wilt  come  down  like  gentle  rain, 

And  make  the  barren  ground  a  blessing. 


.  iah  xxvii.  1. 


HTMNS    AND    MEDITATIONS.  1] 


VI. 

"  The  Lord  blessed  the  Seventh  dny  and  hallowed  it." 
Exodus  xx.  11. 

Beam  on  us  brightly,  blessed  clay, 
Dawn  softly  for  our  Saviour's  sake; 

And  waft  thy  sweetness  o'er  our  way, 
To  draw  us  heavenward  when  we  wake 

O  holy  life  that  shall  not  end, 

Light  that  will  never  cease  to  be  : 

May  every  Sabbath-day  we  spend 
Add  to  our  happiness  in  Thee. 


VII. 

'In  returning  and  rest  shall  ye  be  saved:  in  quietness  and 
confidence  shall  be  your  strength." — Isaiah  xxx.  15. 

AVitii  a  heart  full  of  anxious  request, 
Which  my  Father  in  Heaven  bestowed, 

I  wandered,  alone  and  distressed, 
In  search  of  a  quiet  abode. 

Astray  and  distracted,  I  cried — 

Lord,  where  wouldst  Thou  have  me  to  be  r 


1-  HYMNS    AND    MEDITATIONS. 

And  the  voice  of  the  Lamb  that  had  died, 
Said — Come,  my  beloved,  to  me. 

I  went, — for  He  mightily  wins 

Weary  souls  to  His  peaceful  retreat, — 
And  he  gave  me  forgiveness  of  sins, 

And  songs  that  I  love  to  repeat; 
And  oft  as  my  enemies  came, 

My  views  of  His  glory  to  dim, 
He  taught  me  to  trust  in  His  name, 

And  to  triumph  by  leaning  on  Him. 

Made  pure  by  the  blood  that  He  shed, 

l[y  heart  in  His  presence  was  free: 
I  was  hungry  and  thirsty — He  fed — 

I  was  sick,  and  He  comforted  me; 
He  gave  me  the  blessing  complete, 

The  hope  that  is  with  me  to-day, 
And  a  quiet  abode  at  His  feet, 

That  shall  not  be  taken  away. 


HYMNS   AND    MEDITATIONS.  13 

VIII. 

''The  Lord  is  the  portion  cf  mine  inheritance." — Psalm  xvi.  5. 

Though  some  good  things  of  lower  worth 
My  heart  is  called  on  to  |esign, 

Of  all  the  gifts  in  heaven  and  earth, 
The  best,  the  very  best,  is  mine  : 

The  love  of  God  in  Christ  made  known — 

The  love  that  is  enough  alone, 

My  Fathers  love  is  all  my  own. 

My  soul's  Eestorer,  let  me  learn 
In  that  deep  love  to  live  and  rest; 

Let  me  the  precious  thing  discern 
Of  which  I  am  indeed  possess'd  : 

My  treasure  let  me  feel  and  see, 

And  let  my  moments,  as  they  flee, 

Unfold  my  endless  life  in  Thee. 

Let  me  not  dwell  so  much  within 

My  bounded  heart,  with  anxious  heed, — 
AVhere  all  my  searches  meet  with  sin, 

And  nothing  satisfies  my  need  : 
It  shuts  me  from  the  sound  and  sight 
Of  that  pure  world  of  life  and  light, 
Which  has  no  breadth,  or  length,  or  height. 


14  HYMNS    AND    MEDITATIONS. 

Let  me  Thy  power,  Thy  beauty  see- 
So  shall  my  vain  aspirings  cease, 
And  my  free  heart  shall  follow  Thee 

Through  paths  of  everlasting  peace. 
My  strength  Thy  gift— my  life  Thy  car*, 
I  shall  forget  to  seek  elsewhere 
The  joy  to  which  my  soul  is  heir. 

I  was  not  called  to  walk  alone, 

To  clothe  myself  with  love  and  light  j 

And  for  Thy  glory,  not  my  own, 
My  soul  is  precious  in  Thy  sight. 

My  evil  heart  can  never  be 

A  home,  a  heritage  for  me  j 

But  Thou  canst  make  it  fit  for  Thee. 


IX. 

"  I  will  fear  no  evil,  for  thou  art  with  me."- Psalm  xxiii.  4. 

'  In  Heavenly  Love  abiding, 

JSTo  change  my  heart  shall  fear; 

And  safe  is  such  confiding, 
For  nothing  changes  here. 

The  storm  may  roar  without  me, 
My  heart  may  low  be  laid; 

But  I  rod  is  round  about  me, 

And  can  I  be  dismayed? 


HYMNS    AND    MEDITATIONS.  15 

"Wherever  He  may  guide  me, 

Xo  want  shall  turn  me  back; 
3iv  shepherd  is  beside  me, 

And  nothing  can  I  lack. 
His  wisdom  ever  waketh, 

His  sight  is  never  dim, 
He  knows  the  way  He  taketh, 

And  I  will  walk  with  Him. 

Green  pastures  are  before  me 

Which  yet  I  have  not  seen, 
Bright  skies  will  soon  be  o'er  me 

Where  the  dark  clouds  have  been. 
My  hope  I  cannot  measure, 

My  path  to  life  is  free, 
My  Saviour  has  my  treasure, 

And  He  will  walk  with  me. 


"  There  is  a  Friend  that  sticketh  closer  than  a  brother." Prov 

xviii.  2±. 

"Would  that  I  were  more  closely  bound 
To  my  Beloved,  Who  ever  lives  : 

Would  that  my  soul  were  always  found 
Abiding  in  the  peace  He  gives : 

Would  that  I  might  more  clearly  see 

His  love  an  heritage  for  me; 


16  HYMNS    AND    MEDITATIONS. 

More  surely  know,  more  meekly  own 
His  bounteous  grace  my  strength  alone. 

And  much  I  wish — but  I  will  pray 
For  wisdom  that  the  lowly  find; 
And,  0  my  Saviour,  every  day, 

More  of  Thy  meek  and  quiet  mind; 
The  comfort  of  a  mind  at  rest 
From  every  care  Thou  hast  not  blest; 
A  heart  from  all  the  world  set  free, 
To  worship  and  to  wait  on  Thee. 

Ah!  my  Beloved,  Who  wilt  not  die, 

Whose  spirit  does  not  change  with  mine, 
Put  doubts  of  my  affection  by, 

And  make  me  free  to  sing  of  Thine. 
The  more  Thy  goodness  I  confess, 
I  shall  not  surely  love  Thee  less  : 
The  more  myself  alone  I  see, 
The  farther  off  I  feel  from  Thee. 

Thou  art  my  life's  restoring  rest, 
In  Thee  for  safety  let  me  hide, 

And  win  me  for  Thy  grateful  guest, 
By  love  that  will  not  be  denied. 

Try  me  with  Thy  refining  fire, 

Array  me  in  Thy  white  attire, 

Be  Wisdom,  Eightcousness  to  me, 

The  Biver  of  my  pleasures  be, 

And  fill  my  life  with  love  for  Thee. 


HYMNS    AND    MEDITATIONS.  17 

XI. 

u  I  will  bless  the  Lord  at  all  times." — Psalm:  xxiv.  1. 

Tender  mercies  on  my  way 

Falling  softly  like  the  dew, 
Sent  me  freshly  every  day, 

I  will  bless  the  Lord  for  you. 

Though  I  have  not  all  I  would, 
Though  to  greater  bliss  I  go, 

Every  present  gift  of  good 
To  eternal  love  I  owe. 

Source  of  all  that  comforts  me, 
Well  of  joy  for  which  I  long, 

Let  the  song  I  sing  to  Thee 
Be  an  everlasting  soni>\ 


2* 


18  HYMNS    AND    MEDITATIONS. 


XII. 

"Thou,  Lord,  art  good,  ana  ready  to  forgive;  i.nd  plenteous 
i<n  mercy  unto  all  them  that  call  upon  Thee." — Psalm  lxxxvi.  5. 

My  Saviour,  whose  infinite  grace 

Most  kindly  encompasses  me, 
Whose  goodness  more  brightly  I  trace, 

The  more  of  my  life  that  I  see, — 
The  sins  that  I  mournfully  own 

Thy  meekness  and  mercy  exalt, 
And  sweet  is  the  voice  from  Thy  throne 

That  tenderly  shows  me  a  fault. 

Even  now,  while  my  praises  arise, 

A  sorrowful  spirit  is  mine — 
A  spirit  Thou  wilt  not  despise, 

For,  oh  !  it  is  mourning  with  Thine. 
My  joy  is  in  light  from  above, 

The  light  which  Thy  kindness  displays; 
My  grief  is  for  lack  of  the  love 

That  would  tune  my  whole  life  to  Thy 
praise. 

My  faithful  Redeemer,  forgive 

The  sin  it  has  grieved  Thee  to  see, 
And  let  me  remember  to  live 
In  the  Spirit  thai  glorifies  Thee. 


HYMNS    AND    MEDITATIONS.  19 

Though  much  in  Thy  child  Thou  hast  borne$ 
Thy  counsels  still  gently  repeat, 

And  give  me,  if  still  I  must  mourn, 
To  mourn  as  a  child  at  Thy  feet. 


XI1L 

"  I  know  whom  I  have  believed." — 2  Timothy  i.  12. 

How  can  I  err  in  trusting  Thee, 
O  Thou  in  whom  I  move  and  live  ? 

Since  Thou  hast  given  Thy  life  for  me, 
What  lack  I  that  Thou  wilt  not  give  ? 

Truly  in  Thee  my  soul  believes, — 
Truly  on  Thee  my  hope  is  stayed; 

Thy  precious  words  my  heart  receives, 
And  waits  for  Thy  expected  aid. 

O  who  can  err  in  trusting  Thee  ? 

Thy  pleasure  is  Thy  children's  bliss; 
And  our  eternal  life  will  be 

Beyond  our  largest  faith  in  this. 


20  HYMNS    ANJ)    MEDITATIONH. 


XIV. 

AN    EVENING    SONG, 

AFTER    A    DAY    OF    DIFFICULTY. 

Lord,  a  happy  child  of  Thine, 
Patient  through  the  love  of  Thee, 

In  the  light,  the  life  divine, 
Lives  and  walks  at  liberty. 

Leaning  on  Thy  tender  care, 
Thou  hast  led  my  soul  aright: 

Fervent  was  my  morning  prayer — 
Joyful  is  my  song  to-night. 

O  my  Saviour,  Guardian  true, 
All  my  life  is  Thine  to  keep  : 

At  Thy  feet  my  work  I  do, 
In  Thy  arms  I  fall  asleep. 


HYMNS    AND    MEDITATIONS.  21 

XV. 

"  I  will  trust  in  the  covert  of  Thy  wings." — Psalm  lxi.  4. 

Under  Thy  wings,  my  God,  I  rest, 

Under  Thy  shadow  safely  lie, 
By  Thy  own  strength  in  peace  possessed, 

While  dreaded  evils  pass  me  by. 

With  strong  desire  I  here  can  stay, 
To  see  Thy  love  its  work  complete ; 

Here  I  can  wait  a  long  delay. 
Reposing  at  my  Saviour's  feet. 

My  place  of  lowly  service  too, 

Beneath  Thy  sheltering  wings  I  see  : 

For  all  the  work  I  have  to  do, 

Is  done  through  strena'thenino*  rest  in  Thee. 

o  o  o 

I  would  not  rise  this  rest  above, 

I  do  not  mourn  my  low  estate, 
Sure  of  my  riches  in  Thy  love, 

I  feel  it  good  to  trust  and  wait. 

In  faith  and  patience  is  repose, 

In  faith  and  rest  my  strength  shall  be; 

And  when  Thy  joy  the  Church  o'ertl- 
I  know  that  it  will  visit  me. 


22  HYMNS   AND    MEDITATIONS. 


XYI. 

"For  the  Lord  shall  comfort  Zion  :  he  shall  comfort  all  her 
waste  places :  and  he  will  make  her  wilderness  like  Eden,  and 
her  desert  like  the  garden  of  the  Lord;  joy  and  gladness  shall  be 
found  therein,  thanksgiving  and  the  voice  of  melody."— Isaiah 
li.  3. 

"Sing,  0  Heavens,  and  be  joyful,  0  Earth  j  for  the  Lord  hath 
comforted  his  people." — Isaiah  xlix.  13. 

A  living,  loving,  lasting  word, 
My  listening  ear  believing  heard, 

While  bending  down  in  prayer; 
Like  a  sweet  breeze  that  none  can  stay, 
It  passed  my  soul  upon  its  way, 

And  left  a  blessing  there. 

Then  joyful  thoughts  that  come  and  go 
By  paths  the  holy  angels  know, 

Encamped  around  my  soul  • 
As  in  a  dream  of  blest  repose, 
'Mid  withered  reeds  a  river  rose, 

And  through  the  desert  stole. 

I  lifted  up  my  eyes  to  see, — 
The  wilderness  was  glad  for  me, 

Its  thorns  were  bright  with  bloom; 
And  onward  travellers,  still  in  sight, 
Marked  out  a  path  of  shining  light, 

And  shade  unmixed  with  Hoom. 


HYMNS    AND    MEDITATIONS.  23 

O  sweet  the  strains  of  those  before, 
"  The  weary  knees  are  weak  no  more, 

The  fearful  heart  is  strong;" 
But  sweeter,  nearer,  from  above, 
That  word  of  everlasting  love, 

The  promise  and  the  song. 


XVII. 

'  I  wait  for  the  Lord,  my  soul  doth  wait,  and  in  His  Word  do 
I  hope." — Psalm  cxxx.  5. 

My  Saviour,  on  the  Word  of  Truth 

In  earnest  hope  I  live, 
I  ask  for  all  the  precious  things 

Thy  boundless  love  can  give. 
I  look  for  many  a  lesser  light 

About  my  path  to  shine; 
But  chiefly  long  to  walk  with  Thee, 

And  only  trust  in  Thine. 

In  holy  expectation  held, 

Thy  strength  my  heart  shall  stay, 

For  Thy  right  hand  will  never  let 
My  trust  be  cast  away. 


24  HYMNS    AND    MEDITATIONS. 

Yea,  Thou  hast  kept  me  near  Thy  feet, 

In  many  a  deadly  strife, 
By  the  stronghold  of  hope  in  Thee, 

The  hope  of  endless  life. 

/   Thou  knowest  that  I  am  not  blest 

As  Thou  wouldst  have  me  be, 
Till  all  the  peace  and  joy  of  faith 

Possess  my  soul  in  Thee; 
And  still  I  seek  'mid  many  fears, 

With  yearnings  unexprest, 
The  comfort  of  Thy  strengthening  love, 

Thy  soothing,  settling  rest. 

It  is  not  as  Thou  wilt  with  me, 

Till,  humbled  in  the  dust, 
I  know  no  place  in  all  my  heart, 

Wherein  to  put  my  trust: 
Until  I  find,  O  Lord,  in  Thee— 

The  Lowly  and  the  Meek — 
That  fulness  which  thy  own  redeemed 

Go  nowhere  else  to  seek. 

Then,  O  my  Saviour,  on  my  soul — 

Cast  down,  but  not  dismayed — 
Still  be  Thy  chastening,  healing  hand, 

In  tender  mercy  laid : 
And  while  I  wait  for  all  Thy  joys 

My  yearning  heart  to  fill, 
J  Teach  me  to  walk  and  work'  with  Thee, 

And  at  Thy  feet  sit  still. 


HYMNS    AND    MEDITATIONS.  25 

XVIII. 

TO . 

When  turning  to  my  place  of  rest, 

Id  hope  of  glory  soon  to  be, 
Lo,  leaning  on  our  Saviour's  breast, 

Pear  child  of  God.  I  meet  with  Thee  : 
And  hushed  is  every  bitter  sigh 

For  strength  bowed  down  at  early  day; 
ADd  busy  doublings  lowly  lie, 

And  anxious  musings  fly  away. 

In  the  clear  light  I  see  thee  here — 

The  light  no  earthly  cloud  may  dim, — 
Oh,  who  can  have  a  gloomy  fear 

For  those  whom  Jesus  keeps  with  Him! 
The  sharpest  gale. that  lays  us  low, 

Our  Saviour's  still  small  voice  obeys; 
ADd  every  sacred  joy  wo  know 

Springs  up  to  his  eternal  praise. 

When,  with  our  heart  to  Jesus  given, 
Within  his  sheltering  arms  w<3  Stay, 

Our  happy  home  with  Him  in  Heaven 
Seems  Dot  so  very  far  awav 


26  HYMNS    AND    MEDITATIONS. 

The  hope  we  have,  with  patience  waits, 
Kept  in  his  sacred  presence  thus; 

And  lo,  we  see  the  open  gates 
Of  God's  bright  city  near  to  us. 

Safe  in  that  city  of  delight, 

How  glad  my  ransomed  soul  will  be, 
When  walking  with  the  Lamb  in  white, 

Dear  child  of  God,  I  meet  with  thee. 
If,  by  his  love,  from  fear  set  free, 

This  shadowy  vale  to  thee  seems  fair, - 
Oh,  how  my  heart  will  long  to  see 

Thy  pleasure  in  His  presence  there. 


XIX. 
TO    THE   SAME. 


Love,  heavenly  love,  possessing, 

And  life  without  decline, 
Our  Father's  greatest  blessing, 

O  dearly  loved,  is  thine. 
Around  thee,  in  thy  weakness, 

Oar  Saviour's  arms  we  see  ; 
We  know  our  best  Beloved 

Is  watching  over  thee. 


HYMNS    AND    MEDITATIONS. 

In  God,  thy  God,  confiding, 

We  yield  thee  to  His  will : 
Through  faith  of  his  providing, 

Our  hearts  are  calm  and  still. 
In  thy  un weary  patience, 

His  faithfulness  we  see ; 
We  know  our  best  Beloved 

Is  watching  over  thee. 


XX. 

"I  believe  in  the  Communion  of  Saints." 

"Are  they  not  all  ministering  spirits,  sent  forth  to  minister 
for  them  who  shall  be  heirs  of  salvation?" — Hebrews  i.  14. 

0  loving  Spirit,  do  not  go. 

Thy  presence  is  a  precious  thing; 

It  makes  my  tears  more  softly  flow, 
And  sweetens  every  song  I  sing: 

My  heart  with  heavenly  comfort  fill, 

And  bring  me  joyful  tidings  still. 

It  soothes  my  soul  to  have  thee  near, 
And  I  believe  that  thou  wilt  stay, — 

Because  the  Lord,  thy  life,  is  here, 
And  He  will  never  go  away; 

And  blest  will  our  communion  be, 

With  thee  in  Him  and  Him  in  thee. 


28  HYMNS    AND    MEDITATIONS. 

I  love  to  have  thee  by  my  side, 

With  thy  sweet  face  so  pure  and  bright. 

While  in  my  Saviour's  robe  I  hide, 
A  robe  like  thine,  exceeding  white: 

Blessed  with  the  blessed  ones  above, 

Seen  by  His  light  and  with  His  love. 

Thy  soul  to  heavenly  bliss  restored, 
Mine  through  a  sacred  veil  will  see, — 

That  glorious  body  of  our  Lord, 
Wherein  he  died  for  thee  and  me. 

I  like  that  thou  shouldst  live  within, 

And  know  my  heart  without  its  sin. 

Oft  in  my  secret  communings, 

With  thought  of  those  who  count  thee 
dear, 

I  speak  to  thee  of  many  things 

That  others  would  not  care  to  hear. 

Now  that  no  pain  thy  love  can  share, 

It  comforts  me  that  thou  wilt  care. 

I  hear  thee  in  the  song  of  birds, 

Thee  in  the  gladdening  flowers  I  see; 

And  earth  has  music  for  the  words 
That  come  to  us  from  heaven  through 
thee: 

Hope,  joy,  the  good  that  God  1ms  willed, 

Thy  hope  confirmed — thy  joy  fulfilled. 


HYMNS    AND    MEDITATIONS.  ZV 

I  do  not  bid  thee  now  farewell, 

(A  prayer  unmeet  for  life  like  thine,) 

With  thy  beloved  in  heaven  I  dwell, 
And  thy  beloved  on  earth  are  mine; 

My  heart  with  them,  and  theirs  with  thee, 

How  canst  thou,  dear  one,  distant  be  ? 

"We  tarry  still  upon  the  road, 

Our  path  goes  on,  we  know  not  where, - 
But  God  is  always  our  abode, 

And  we  are  sure  to  meet  thee  there: 
Our  life  His  charge,  our  work  His  will, 
To  love  thee  is  delightful  still. 

Soon,  yes,  it  must  be  soon,  we  know, 
Our  work  of  faith  and  love  complete, 

We  to  thy  happy  home  shall  go, 
And  find  thee  at  our  Father's  feet. 

There  His  Beloved  prepares  our  place, 

And  we  shall  see  thee  face  to  face. 

Meanwhile  to  thee,  with  whom  we  live 
A  Becret  life  by  night  and  day. 

Pain  we  are  sure  we  cannot  give, 
But  pleasure  I  believe  we  may : 

And  this  belief  henceforth  shall  be 

New  life,  new  strength,  new  joy  to  me. 


3* 


30  HYMNS    AND    MEDITATIONS. 

XXI. 

A  NEW  YEAR'S  MORNING  SONG. 

"  lie  hath  put  a  new  song  in  my  mouth,  even  thanksgiving  unto 
our  God." — Psalm  xl.  3. 

Thanksgiving  and  the  voice  of  melody, 
This  new  year's  morning,  call  me  from  my  sleep: 
A  new  sweet  song  is  in  my  heart  for  Thee, 
Thou  faithful  tender  Shepherd  of  the  sheep: 
Thou  knowest  where  to  find,  and  how  to  keep 
The  feeble  feet  that  tremble  where  they  stray  : 
O'er  the  dark  mountains — through  the  whelming 

deep, — 
Thy  everlasting  mercy  makes  its  way. 

The  past  is  not  so  dark  as  once  it  seemed, 
For  there  Thy  footprints  now  distinct  T  see  ; 
And    seed    in   weakness    sown,   from   death   re- 
deemed, 
Is  springing  up,  and  hearing  fruit  in  Th 
Not  all  that  hath  been,  Lord,  henceforth  shall  be  : 
A  low,  sweet,  cheering  strain  is  in  mine  ear, 
Thanksgiving,  and  the  voice  of  melody, 
Are  ushering  in  from   Heaven  a  blest  new  year. 

With  voice,  subdued,  my  listening  spirit  sings, 
As  backward  on  the  trodden  path  I  gaze, 


HYMNS    AND    MEDITATIONS.  Bl 

While  ministering  angels  fold  their  wings 
To  fill  with  lowly  thoughts  my  song  of  praie 
The  shadow  of  the  past  on  future  days 
Will  make  them  clear  to  my  instructed  sigh:; 
For  the  heart's  knowledge  of  Thy  sacred  wa 
Even  in  its  deepest,  darkest  shades,  is  light. 

I  am  not  stronger — yet  I  do  not  fear 

The  present  pain,  the  conflict  yet  to  be; 

Experience  is  a  kind  voice  in  mine  ear, 

And  all  my  failings  bid  me  lean  on  Thee. 

Xo  future  suffering  can  seem  strange  to  me, 

AVhile  in  the  hidden  part  I  feel  and  know, 

The  wisdom  of  a  child  at  rest  and  free 

In  the  tried  love  whose  judgment  keeps  him  low. 

Thanksgiving  and  the  voice  of  melody! 

Oh,  to  my  tranquil  heart  how  sweet  the  strain,-— 

Father  of  mercies,  it  arose  in  Thee, 

And  to  thy  bosom  it  returns  again. 

There  let  my  grateful  song,  my  soul,  remain, 

("aim  in  the  risen  Saviour's  tender  care; 

And  welcome  any  trial,  any  pain, 

That  serves  to  keep  Thy  faithful  children  there. 

Thoughts  of  Thy  love— and  oh,  how  great  the 

sum ! 
Enduring  grief,  obtaining  bliss,  for  me, — 
The  world,  life,  death,  things  present,  thin- 
come, 


32  HYMNS    AND    MEDITATIONS. 

All  swell  the  new  year's  opening  melody. 
Past,  present,  future,  all  things  worship  Thee; 
And  I,  through  all,  with  trembling  joy  behold, 
While  mountains  fall,  and   treacherous  visions 

flee, 
Thy  wandering  sheep  returning  to  the  fold. 


XXII. 

"Thou  hast  turned  for  me  my  mourning  into  dancing:  Thou 
hast  put  off  my  sackcloth,  and  girded  me  with  gladness  ;  to  the 
end  that  my  glory  may  sing  praise  to  Thee,  and  not  be  silent.  0 
Lord  my  God,  I  will  give  thanks  unto  thee  for  ever." — Psalm 
xxx.  11,  12. 

Strength  of  the  still,  secluded  thought, 

That  fears,  yet  longs,  its  joy  to  show, — 
The  hope,  the  awe,  in  mercy  taught 

To  make  me  strong,  to  keep  me  low, — 
Now  shall  my  girded  heart  rejoice, 

In  praise  poured  out,  in  love  expressed, — 
Now  will  I  bless  Thee,  with  a  voice 

That  shall  not  break  this  sacred  rest. 

Once,  moved  by  every  mortal  pain, 

By  every  pleasure  quickly  pas 
I  feared  to  Bpeak  in  joyful  strain 

Of  hidden  life  that  might  not  last. 


HYMNS    AND    MEDITATIONS. 

Now,  from  a  well  that  will  not  fail, 

In  Thee  my  deep  rejoicing  sprii 
Now,  from  Thy  rest  within  the  veil, 
My  spirit  looks  on  passing  things. 

Once,  with  Thy  tired  ones  homeward  bent, 

In  hope  that  rose  their  fears  above, 
My  leaping  heart  could  be  content 

To  greet  them  with  a  silent  love. 
I  too  had  walked  with  weary  feet. 

And  heard  the  exulting  shout  too  near; 
I  too  had  felt  the  toil  and  heat, 

The  wind  and  storm  I  did  not  fear. 

Perhaps  the  Heavenward  look  in  store, 
The  speechless  prayer  for  strength  or  rest. 

Might  help  those  needy  spirits  more 
Than  hope  set  forth  or  joy  expressed. 

But  I  was  changed,  I  knew  not  how, 
By  the  same  love  that  chose  their  ways; 

I  might  be  just  as  weary  now, 

•  And  yet  rejoice  to  hear  Thy  praise. 

Now  would  I  cheer  the  faint  in  heart 

With  sound  of  J03-  they  too  shall  see  : 
Xow  would  I  put  the  fear  apart 

That  bids  me  hide  Thy  strength  in  me. 
What  though  the  mortal  flesh  be  frail, 

The  willing  spirit  prone  to  sink. — 
There  is  a  stream  in  Baca's  vale 

Whereof  Thy  feeblest  child  may  drink. 


HYMNS    AND    MEDITATIONS. 

Some,  in  their  sorrow,  may  not  know 

How  near  their  feet  those  waters  glide — 
sv  peaceful  fruits  for  healing  grow, 

And  flowers  for  beauty,  by  their  side. 
They  may  not  see,  with  weeping  eyes 

Upon  the  dreary  desert  bent, 
How  glorious,  straight  before  them,  lies 

The  Eden  of  their  soul's  content. 

But.  O  my  Saviour,  I  can  see 

For  them,  what  once  for  me  was  seen; 
I  know,  whatever  their  sufferings  be, 

The  tender  mercy  which  they  mean. 
I  do  not  watch,  with* anxious  care, 

To  see  the  end  of  their  distress : 
Thou  knowest  what  the  heart  must  bear, 

The  human  heart  which  Thou  wilt  blesfi 

And  in  their  daily  deepening  need 

Of  Heavenly  love,  for  strength  or  rest, 
They  arc  already  blest  indeed ; 

Tea,  and  much  more  they  shall  be  blest 
Wrapt  in  the  spirit  of  Thy  praise, 

As  from  Gerizim's  height,  I  sec? 
Blessing  poured  out  on  all  the  ways 

That  prove  Thy  children's  need  of  Thee 

()  wondrous  love,  so  strong  to  smite, — 
St;  meek  the  opposing  will  to  tame  ! 

It  was  Thy  hand  put  forth  in  might 
That  led  me  through  the  flood,  the  flame. 


HYMNS    AND    MEDITATIONS.  35 

When,  needing  strength  to  bear  Thy  rod, 
By  the  smooth  stream  I  found  repose, 

It  was  Thy  grace,  Almighty  God, 
Thy  love  that  smote  me  ere  I  rose. 

,  How  could  I  look  for  lengthened  r< 

With  Thy  deep  sufferings  scarcely  known, 
Or  lay  for  ever  on  Thy  breast 

The  perfect  heart  which  Thou  wilt  own  '( 
The  heart  that,  guilty  of  Thy  woes, 

Looks  only  upon  Thee  to  mourn, 
And  feels  the  cross  Thy  love  bestows 

A  burden  easy  to  be  borne. 

And  yet  that  pause  was  not  in  vain, — 

It  was  a  blessing  meet  to  give 
Strength,  for  the  labour  and  the  pain 

^Thereby  alone  my  soul  might  live. 
How  gently  thence  Thy  chastening  hand 

My  lingering  spirit  onward  bare  ! 
How  precious,  in  a  barren  land, 

The  footprints  of  Thy  people  were  ! 

There  many  hearts  that  knew  Thy  ways 

The  safety  of  my  feet  could  see; 
And  there  I  heard  the  song  of  praise 

That  Faith  poured  out  to  Heaven  fur  me 
Oh,  more  than  all  the  ease  I  sought. 

That  song  the  desert  path  could  ble>s; 
And  dearer  in  my  deepest  thou-. 

The  love  that  nut  me  in  drstr 


36  HYMNS    AND    MEDITATIONS. 

Now  that  Thy  mercies,  on  my  head, 

The  oil  of  joy  for  mourning  pour, 
Not  as  I  ns  i  1 1  my  steps  be  led, 

But  as  Thou  wilt  for  evermore. 
Henceforth,  whatever  my  heart's  desire, 

Fulfil  in  me  Thy  own  design; 
I  need  the  fountain  and  the  fire, — 

And  both,  O  King  of  Saints,  are  Thine. 

Now  that  my  sense  of  rest  in  Thee 

Rules  over  every  rising  fear, 
Pain,  pleasure,  all  I  feel  and  see, 

Thy  counsels  to  my  soul  endear. 
Now  can  my  girded  heart  rejoice, 

In  praise  poured  out,  in  love  expressed; 
Now  may  I  bless  Thee,  with  a  voice 

That  shall  not  break  this  sacred  rest. 


XXIII. 

NATFRAL  AFFECTION  IN  THE  NEW  CREATURE 

"  L*  i    sown  a  natural  body,:  it  is  raised  a  spiritual  body."— 
1  Cou.  xv.  44. 

Jesus,  Lord  of  Heaven  a! mac. 

Earth  beneath  is  all  Thy  own  : 
In  the  depths  of  Heavenly  love 

Let  my  human  heart  be  sown. 


HYMNS    AND    MEDITATIONS. 

Let  the  love  that  as  a  grain 

None  on  earth  might  care  to  see, 

Buried  in  Thy  grave  remain, 
Be  a  precious  seed  to  Thee. 

Thou  wilt  raise  it,  though  it  die, 
Thou  wilt  see  it  hidden  there, — 

Thou  wilt  guard  it  with  Thine  eye 
From  the  spirits  of  the  air. 

None  shall  take  it  thence  away; 

It  is  sown  for  Thy  delight : 
Thou  wilt  shine  on  it  by  day, 

Thou  wilt  shield  it  in  the  night. 

"Where  the  silent  waters  flow, 

It  shall  multiply  its  root : 
It  shall  blossom,  it  shall  grow, 

It  shall  bear  immortal  fruit. 

Sown  in  weakness,  raised  in  power, — 
Sown  in  suffering,  raised  in  peace,— 

It  shall  brave  the  blighting  hour, 
In  the  year  of*  drought  increae 

Never  hurt  by  sun  or  storm, 
Blest  its  every  stage  shall  be, — 

Dying  in  its  mortal  form, 
Living  evermore  in  Thee. 

4 


38  HYMNS    AND    MEDITATIONS. 


XXIV. 

"Thou  wilt  keep  him  in  perfect  peace  whose  mind  is  stayed  on 
Thee :  because  he  trusteth  in  Thee." — Isaiah  xxvi.  3. 

Oh,  this  is  blessing,  this  is  rest ! 

Into  Thine  arms,  O  Lord,  I  flee : 
I  hide  me  in  Thy  faithful  breast, 

And  pour  out  all  my  soul  to  Thee. 
There  is  a  host  dissuading  me; 

But,  all  their  voices  far  above, 
1  hear  Thy  words — "  0  taste  and  see 

The  comfort  of  a  Saviour's  love." 
And,  hushing  every  adverse  sound, 
Songs  of  defence  my  soul  surround, 
As  if  all  saints  encamped  about 
One  trusting  heart  pursued  by  doubt. 

And  oh,  how  solemn,  yet  how  sweet 

Their  one  assured,  persuasive  strain! 
"The  Lord  of  Hosts  is  thy  retreat, 

The  Man  who  bore  thy  sin.  thy  pain. 
Still  in  His  hand  thy  times  remain, — 

Still  of  His  body  thou  art  part; 
And  lie  will  prove  His  right   to  reign 

O'er  all  things  that  concern  thy  heart." 


HYMNS    AND    MEDITATIONS. 

0  tenderness — 0  truth  divine  ! 
Lord,  I  am  altogether  Thine. 

1  have  bowed  down — I  need  not  flee, — 
Peace,  peace  is  mine  in  trusting  Thee. 

And  now  I  count  supremely  kind 

The  rule  that  once  I  thought  severe; 
And  precious  to  my  altered  mind, 

At  length,  Thy  least  reproofs  appear. 
Now  to  the  love  that  casts  out  fear, 

Mercy  and  truth  indeed  are  one ; 
Why  should  I  hold  my  ease  so  dear? 

The  work  of  training  must  be  done 
I  must  be  taught  what  I  would  know; 
I  must  be  led  where  I  would  go ) 
And  all  the  rest  ordained  for  me, 
Till  that  which  is  not  seen  I  see, 
Is  to  be  found  in  trusting  Thee. 


40  HYMN'S    AND    MEDITATIONS. 


XXV. 

"  The  Lord  is  my  portion,  saith  my  soul ;  therefore  will  I  hope  in 
Him." — Lamentations  iii.  24. 


My  heart  is  resting,  O  my  God, — 

I  will  give  thanks  and  sing; 
My  heart  is  at  the  secret  source 

Of  every  precious  thing. 
Now  the  frail  vessel  Thou  hast  made 

No  hand  but  Thine  shall  fill; 
For  the  waters  of  the  Earth  have  failed, 

And  I  am  thirsty  still. 

I  thirst  for  springs  of  heavenly  life, 

And  here  all  day  they  rise; 
I  seek  the  treasure  of  Thy  love, 

And  close  at  hand  it  lies. 
And  a  new  song  is  in  my  mouth 

To  long  loved  music  set : 
Glory  to  Thee  for  all  the  grace 

J  have  not  tasted  yet. 

Glory  to  Thee  for  strength  withheld, 
For  want  and  weakness  known, 

And  the  fear  thai  sends  me  to  Thy  breast 
For  what  is  mosl  my  own. 


HYMNS    AND    MEDITATIONS. 

I  have  a  heritage  of  joy 

That  vet  I  must  not  see; 
But  the  hand  that  bled  to  make  it  mine 

Is  keeping  it  for  me. 

There  is  a  certainty  of  love 

That  sets  my  heart  at  rest, — 
A  calm  assurance  for  to-day 

That  to  be  poor  is  best, — 
A  prayer  reposing  on  His  truth 

AYho  hath  made  all  things  mine, 
That  draws  my  captive  will  to  Him, 

And  makes  it  one  with  Thine. 


I  will  give  thanks  for  suffering  now, 

For  want  and  toil  and  loss, — 
For  the  death  that  sin  makes  hard  and  slow, 

Upon  my  Saviour's  cross. — 
Thanks  for  the  little  spring  of  love 

That  gives  me  strength  to  Bay, 
If  they  will  leave  me  part  in  Him, 

Let  all  things  pass  away. 

Sometimes  I  long  for  promised  bliss, 
But  it  will  not  come  too  late, — 

And  the  songs  of  patient  spirits  rise 
From  the  place  wherein- 1  wait; 
4* 


42  HYMNS    AND    MEDITATIONS. 

While  in  the  faith  that  makes  no  haste, 

My  soul  has  time  to  see 
A  kneeling  host  of  Thy  redeemed 

In  fellowship  with  me. 

There  is  a  multitude  around, 

Eesponsive  to  my  prayer; 
I  hear  the  voice  of  my  desire 

Resounding  everywhere. 
But  the  earnest  of  eternal  joy 

In  every  prayer  I  trace; 
I  see  the  glory  of  the  Lord 

On  every  chastened  face. 

How  oft,  in  still  communion  known, 

Those  spirits  have  been  sent 
To  share  the  travail  of  my  soul, 

Or  show  me  what  it  meant! 
And  I  long  to  do  some  work  of  love, 

No  spoiling  hand  could  touch, 
For  the  poor  and  suffering  of  Thy  flock, 

Who  comfort  me  so  much. 

Bu1  the  yearning  thought  is  mingled  now 
With  the  thankful  song  I  sing; 

F<>r  Thy  people  know  the  Becrel  source 
Of  every  precious  thing- 


HYMNS    AND    MEDITATIONS.  43 

The  heart  that  ministers  for  Thee 

In  Thy  own  work  will  rest; 
And  the  subject  spirit  of  a  child 

Can  serve  Thy  children  best. 

Mine  be  the  reverent,  listening  love 

That  waits  all  clay  on  Thee, 
With  the  service  of  a  watchful  heart 

Which  no  one  else  can  see, — 
The  faith  that,  in  a  hidden  way 

]S[o  other  eye  may  know, 
Finds  all  its  daily  work  prepared, 

And  loves  to  have  it  so 

My  heart  is  resting,  O  my  God, 

My  heart  is  in  Thy  care  : 
I  hear  the  voice  of  joy  and  health 

Kesounding  everywhere. 
"  Thou  art  my  portion/'  saith  my  soul, 

Ten  thousand  voices  say, 
And  the  music  of  their  glad  Amen 

Will  never  die  away. 


44  HYMNS   AND   MEDITATIONS. 


XXVI. 

"  I  will  allure  her,  and  bring  her  into  the  wilderness,  and  speak 
comfortably  unto  her.  And  I  will  give  her  her  vineyards  from 
thence,  and  the  valley  of  Achor  for  a  door  of  hope;  and  she 
shall  sing  there." — Hosea  ii.  14,  15. 

"  I  know,  0  Lord,  that  Thy  judgments  are  right,  and  thou  in 
faithfulness  hast  afflicted  me." — Psalm  cxix.  75. 

■    I  will  love  Thee,  O  Lord,  my  strength, — 

Thee  shall  my  rescued  heart  embrace ; 
Thy  love,  in  all  its  breadth  and  length, 

Shall  be  my  peaceful  dwelling-place. 
Whom  have  I  on  the  earth  beside  ? 

Thy  cross,  Thy  crown  of  thorns  I  see  ; 
Thou  who  to  save  my  life  hast  died, 

I  will  have  fellowship  with  Thee. 

Surely  Thy  human  heart  has  borne 
My  greatest  grief,  my  least  distress, — 

Surely  I  see  my  Saviour  mourn 

With  the  bowed  spirit  Ee  will  bless. 

Nailed  to  Thy  cross,  I  would  not  fly 
The  pain  it  grieves  Thy  soul  to  give  : 

If  because  Thou  hast  died  I  die, 
ecause  Thou  livesl  I  shall  live. 


HYMNS    AND    MEDITATIONS.  45 

How  could  a  moment's  pang  destroy 

My  heart's  confirmed  repose  in  Thee? 
Thy  presena  is  sufficient  joy 

To  one  reclaimed  and  spared  like  me. 
It  is  enough  that  I  am  Thine: 

Almighty  to  redeem 'from  sin, 
Thou  shalt  subdue,  correct,  refine, 

The  heart  which  Thou  hast  died  to  win. 

Xow,  through  this  light  and  passing  pain, 

The  travail  of  Thy  soul  I  see  : 
I  know  Thou  hast  not  borne  in  vain 

The  mortal  anguish  due  to  me. 
Thoughts  of  a  love  unfelt  before 

In  comfort  on  my  heart  descend: 
This  suffering  must  have  cost  Thee  more 

Than  I  can  ever  comprehend. 

Yet,  through  a  sacred  sympathy, 
I  of  Thy  precious  death  partak'e  ! 

I  feel  my  fellowship  with  Thee, 
•  And  with  the  Father  for  Thy  sake. 

I  see  the  source  of  all  Thy  woe, 
Thy  resurrection's  power  I  feel, — 

And  streams  of  living  water  flow* 

Through  the  dry  desert  where  I  kneel. 

*  John,  vii.  |38, 


46  HYMNS    AND    MEDITATIONS. 

Shielded  from  every  fear  of  wrath, 

Looking  through  love  on  all  that  is, — 
I  see  about  my  troubled  path 

A  cloud  of  tranquil  witnesses. 
Happy  the  chastening  to  endure, 

That  makes  me  one,  in  love  and  trust, 
With  all  the  lowly,  all  the  pure, 

All  the  tried  spirits  of  the  just. 

Thy  children's  sympathy  is  sweet, 

But  all  is  measured — all  in  part; 
.  Into  Thy  love  my  hopes  retreat, 

For  that  which  satisfies  the  heart. 
There  may  be  other  love  in  store, 

But  none  whereof  Thy  child  may  say, 
My  strength,  my  life ;  for  evermore, 

My  ample  portion  day  by  day. 

Such  solace  as  around  me  grows, 

Thou  for  my  need  shalt  still  prepare ; 
But  make  Thy  bosom  my  repose, 

And  fix  my  expectation  there. 
For  thou  canst  cherish  and  uphold 

Life,  that  no  eye  but  Thine  may  see; 
„     And  no  rough  wind,  no  heat,  or  cold, 

Shall  hurt  the  love  that  clings  to  Thee. 

In  to  Thy  silent  place  of  prayer 

The  anxious  wandering  mind  recall, — 
Dwell  mid  Thy  own  creation  there, 
Restoring,  claiming,  hallowing  all. 


HYMNS    AND    MEDITATIONS.  47 

Then  the  calm  spirit,  won  from  sin, 

Thy  perfect  sacrifice  shall  be  ; 
And  all  the  ransomed  powers  therein 

Shall  go  forth,  glorifying  Thee. 

Out  of  this  spirit  of  Thy  grace, 

Oh,  who  can  tell  what  light  has  beamed  ! 
I  see  the  solitary  place, 

garden  for  Thy  own  redeemed. 
I  see  the  desolated  ground, 

With  dews  of  Heavenly  kindness  fed; 
And  fruits  of  joy  and  love  surround 

The  heart  which  Thou  hast  comforted. 

0  knowledge  all  my  thoughts  above, 

This  thirsty  vale  I  could  not  flee  !* 
This  yearning  for  unbounded  love 

Has  been  '-a  door  of  hope''  to  me. 
Who  would  go  forth  in  haste  by  flight 

From  the  dry  land  which  Thou  wilt  bless; 
Sown  with  the  everlasting  light 

That  shows  Thy  "  very  faithfulness  I" 

Thou  hast  loved  me,  0  Lord,  my  strength, 

On  Thee  my  yielded  heart  shall  lean; 
Thy  guiding  love,  in  all  its  len  . 

Shall  teach  me  all  Thy  judgments  mean. 

Eosea  ii.  6. 


48  HYMNS    AND    MEDITATIONS. 

And  I  will  ask  Thee  for  a  sign 

That  many  an  anxious  eye  may  see; 

Give  me  the  love  that  rests  in  Thine, 

For  those  whom  Thou  hast  tried  like  me. 

Love  that  believes  is  always  sweet 

To  fearful  hearts,  which  Thou  wilt  guide, 
And  mine  may  win  some  timid  feet 

To  the  deep  Eiver's  quiet  side. 
While  from  that  Eiver's  fertile  banks, 

My  resting  eye  thy  portion  sees ; 
O  that  my  soul  might  yield  Thee  thanks, 

By  comforting  the  least  of  these. 


XXVII. 

"  God  is  faithful,  by  whom  ye  were  called  unto  the  fellowship  of 
His  Son  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord." — 1  Cor.  i.  9. 

Bowed  with  a  burden  none  can  weigh  save  Thee, 
Strength  of  my  life,  on  Thee  I  cast  my  care : 

My  heart  must  prove  its  own  infirmity  ; 

Hut  what  shall  move  me,  if  my  God  be  there? 

Oli  for  a  thankful  song  with  every  breath, 

While  amid  lading  flowers  and  withering  grass, 
r,with  Thee,  through  the  grave  and  gate  of  death, 

On  to  my  joyful  resurrection  pass. 


HYMNS    AND    MEDITATIONS.  49 

Armed  with  the  spirit  of  my  Master's  mind, 
'How  shall  I  spare  a  thought  that  He  would 
slay? 
Lord,  I   would    leave    those    things    which    are 
behind. 
And   press  towards   Heaven  through  all  the 
narrow  way. 

Bright  be  my  prospect  as  I  pass  along ) 
An  ardent  service  at  the  cost  of  all, — 

Love  by  untiring  ministry  made  strong, 
And  ready  for  the  first,  the  softest  call. 

Yes,  God  is  faithful— and  my  lot  is  cast; 

Oh,  not  myself  to  serve,  my  own  to  be  ! 
Light  of  my  life,  the  darkness  now  is  past, 

And  I  beneath  the  Cross  can  work  for  Thee 


50  HYMNS    AND    MEDITATIONS. 


XXVIII. 

^  "He  that  loveth  his  life  shall  lose  it;  and  he  that  hateth  his 
life  in  this  world  shall  keep  it  unto  life  eternal."— John  xii.  25. 

Sweet  be  Thy  words  of  sternest  truth, 

My  risen  Lord,  to  me  ! 
Hid  in  the  secret  of  my  heart 

Their  deepest  treasure  be; 
That  I  may  comprehend  the  joy 

Of  sacrifice  for  Thee. 

'  And  softly  let  the  light  of  life 
Before  Thy  servant  shine, 
That  through  the  gloom,  with  steadfast 
will, 
My  soul  may  follow  Thine, — 
Calm  in  the  depth  of  one  desire, 
And  strong  in  one  design. 

But  never  let  me  think  I  - 
Thy  Heavenly  things  aright, 

Unless  the  single  eye  of  love 
Pill  my  whole  mind  with  light, 

And  to  be  like  Thee  in  Thy  death 
Seen  glorious*  in  my  sight. 

i.  3. 


HYMNS    AND    MEDITATIONS.  51 

That  willing  sacrifice  of  Thine 

My  meditation  make, 
Till  to  the  true  delight  of  life 

My  soul  with  songs  awake, — 
And  all  that  spoils  me  of  myself 

Be  treasure  for  Thy  sake. 

The  tenderest  heart  Thy  hands  have  made 

Beneath  Thy  rule  may  rest; 
For  he  who  made  it  for  Himself 

Knows  what  will  shield  it  best: 
The  feeblest  lover  of  Thy  law 

Dwells  safely  in  thy  breast. 

Xow  through  a  strait  and  painful  way 

^>Ly  weary  feet  must  press; 
But  what  shall  hurt  the  struggling  soul 

Which  Thou  hast  died  to  bless, 
Or  prompt  a  spirit  to  complain 

That  knows  its  blessedness! 


Xor  seems  it  strange  to  one  who  weighs 

The  joy  of  liberty. 
This  death  of  suffering  to  himself, 

This  life  of  love  to  Thee, 
Which  gives  the  lowly  power  to  reign 

And  makes  the  servant  free. 


52  HYMNS    AND    MEDITATIONS. 

0  let  no  timid  faithless  thought 
Prevail  my  bonds  to  spare  ! 

Lord,  I  can  drink  Thy  bitter  cup, 
Thy  fiery  trial  share  ; 

1  can  deny  myself  for  Thee, 
And  for  thy  glory  care. 

Only  the  unction  of  Thy  love, 
With  every  cross  be  mine; 

Till  these  Thy  words,— so  firm  to  gird, 
So  searching  to  refine, — 

Be  sweet  unto  Thy  servant's  soul 
Even  as  they  are  to  Thine. 


XXIX. 

"It  is  a  faithful  saying- :  For  if  we  be  dead  with  Him,  we  shall 
also  live  with  Him :  If  we  suffer,  we  shall  also  reign  with  Him." 
2  Timothy  ii.  11,  12. 

"Most  gladly  therefore  will  I  rather  glory  in  my  infirmities, 
that  the  power  of  Christ  may  rest  upon  me."-— 2  Cor.  xii.  9. 

Compassed  about  with  songs,  my  soul  was  still, 
But  not  for  Lack  of  light  its  bliss  to  see  ; 

Thy  heart,  my  Father,  could  the  temple  till, 
And  its  deep  silence  was  a  song  to  Th 

My  mind  reposed  in  its  captivity, 

die  clear  evidence  of  love  subdued; 


HYMNS    AND    MEDITATIONS.  DO 

I  was  content  to  die,  that  I  might  be 
Redeemed  for  ever  from  my  solitude. 

All  that  was  in  me  to  Thy  throne  aspired, 
Longed  for  Thy  heavenly  glory  to  be  meet; 

Devotion  was  the  joy  to  be  desired, 

And  the  one  thought  of  sacrifice  was  sweet. 

But  He  who  knew  my  frame  was  training  me 

For    service    needing    strength    that    cannot 
wane, 
And  teaching  me  my  frail  mortality 

B}^  solemn  reckonings  of  the  weight  of  pain. 
I  in  my  weakness — how  was  I  to  reign, 

When  suffering  was  the  only  way  to  power? 
And  would  my  spirit  in  His  strength  remain, 

When   watching  was   a   strife    for    one    short 
hour? 
Could  I  with  steadfast  heart  myself  deny? 

Coukl  I  with  patient  love  the  Cross  endure? 
Should  I  be  every  day  content  to  die, 

To  keep  my  daily  life  in  Him  secure? 

Then  with   fresh    sweetness,  from  the  saints  in 
light, 
One  song  of  victory  to  my  soul  made  known 
How  the  hid  treasure  of  the  Church's  might 

-  in  the  power  of  her  Beloved  alone. 
And  then  Thy  glory  to  my  heart  was  shown, 
Even  as  the  glory  of  the  blest  above; 


51:  HYMNS    AND    MEDITATIONS. 

I  knew  Thy  steadfast  spirit  was.  my  own, 
By  the  pure  joy  of  Thy  reflected  love. 

Vnd  the  mind  communed  with  me  that  was  His 
Who    said,   "When   I    am   weak    then    am   I 
strong/' 

Until  the  voice  of  my  infirmities 

Made  harmony  with  that  triumphant  song. 


XXX. 

"Deep  calleth  unto  deep  at  the  noise  of  Thy  water-spouts;  all 
Thy  waves  jind  Thy  billows  are  gone  over  me.  Yet  the  Lord  will 
command  His  loving-kindness  in  the  daytime,  and  in  the  night 
His  song  shall  be  with  me,  and  my  prayer  unto  the  God  of  my 
Life." — Psalm  xlii.  7,  8. 

Go  not  far  from  me,  O  my  strength, 

Whom  all  my  times  obey; 
Take  from  me  any  thing  Thou  wilt,* 

But  go  not  Thou  away. — 
And  let  the  storm  that  does  Thy  work 

Deal  with  me  as  it  may. 

On  Thy  compassion  I  rep 

Ju  weakness  and  distress  : 
I  will  not  ask  for  greater  ease, 

Les1  1  should  love  Thee  leg 
Oh,  'tis  a  blessed  thing  for  me 

To  need  Thy  tenders 


HYMNS    AND    MEDITATIONS.  55 

While  many  sympathizing  hearts 

For  my  deliverance  care, 
Thou,  in  Thy  wiser,  stronger  love, 

Art  teaching  me  to  bear; 
By  the  sweet  voice  of  thankful  song, 

And  calm  confiding  prayer. 

Thy  love  has  many  a  lighted  path 

Xo  outward  eye  can  trace, 
And  my  heart  sees  Thee  in  the  deep, 

With  darkness  on  its  face, 
And  communes  with  Thee  'mid  the  storm 

As  in  a  secret  place. 

O  Comforter  of  God's  redeemed, 

Whom  the  world  does  not  see. 
What  hand  should  pluck  me  from  the  flood, 

That  casts  my  soul  on  Thee? 
Who  would  not  suffer  pain  like  mine. 

To  be  consoled  like  me? 


When  I  am  feeble  as  a  child, 
And  flesh  and  heart  give  way, 

Then  on  Thy  everlasting  strength 
With  passive  trust  I  stay. 

And  the  rough  wind  be  song:, 

The  darkness  shines  like  day. 


66  HYMNS    AND    MEDITATIONS. 

Oh,  blessed  are  the  eyes  that  see, 
Though  silent  anguish  show 

The  love  that  in  their  hours  of  sleep 
Unthanked  may  come  and  go; 

And  blessed  are  the  ears  that  hear, 
Though  kept  awake  b}^  woe. 

Happy  are  they  that  learn,  in  Thee, 
Though  patient  suffering  teach, 

The  secret  of  enduring  strength, 
And  praise  too  deep  for  speech; 

Peace  that  no  pressure  from  without, 
No  strife  within,  can  reach. 

There  is  no  death  for  me  to  fear, 
For  Christ,  my  Lord,  hath  died; 

There  is  no  curse  in  this  my  pain, 
For  lie  was  crucified. 

And  it  is  fellowship  with  Him 
That  keeps  me  near  His  side. 

My  heart  is  fixed,  O  God,  my  strength, 
My  heart  is  strong  to  hear  : 

I  will  be  joyful  in  Thy  love, 
And  peaceful  in  Thy  care, 

Deal  with  me  for  my  Saviour's  sake, 
According  to  His  prayer. 


HYMNS    AND    MEDITATIONS.  57 

No  suffering  while  it  lasts  is  joy, 

How  blest  soe'er  it  be  ; 
Yet  may  the  chastened  child  be  glad 

His  Father's  face  to  see; 
And  oh,  it  is  not  hard  to  bear 

What  must  be  borne  in  Thee 

It  is  not  hard  to  bear  by  faith, 
In  Thy  own  bosom  laid, 

The  trial  of  a  soul  redeemed, 

For  Thy  rejoicing  made. 
Well  may  the  heart  in  patience  rest, 

That  none  can  make  afraid. 

Safe  in  iny  sanctiiying  grace, 

Almighty  to  restore, — 
Borne  onward — sin  and  death  behind, 

And  love  and  life  before  ; 
Oh,  let  my  soul  abound  in  hope, 

And  praise  Thee  more  and  more! 

Dec])  unto  dee])  may  call;    but  I 

With  peaceful  heart  will  say, 
Thy  loving-kin dness  has  a  charge 

No  waves  can  take  away: 
And  let  the  storm  that  speeds  me  home 

Peal  with  me  as  it  may. 


Selections  from  Sckral  ^iitljors. 


SELECTIONS  FROM  SEVERAL  AUTHORS. 


A    REMONSTRANCE. 

LDDRESSEL    TO    A   FRIEND   WHO   COMPLAINED   OF   BEING     ALONE    IN    THE   WORLD 
BY    ALARIC    A.   WATTS. 

Oh,  say  not  thou  art  all  alone, 

Upon  this  wide,  cold-hearted  earth. 
Sigh  ni>j  o'er  joys  for  ever  flown, 

The  vacant  chair, — the  silent  hearth: 
Why  should  the  world's  unholy  mirth 

Upon  thy  quiet  dreams  intrude, 
To  scare  those  shapes  of  heavenly  birth, 

That  people  oft  thy  solitude  ! 

Though  many  a  fervent  hope  of  youth 

Hath  passed,  and  scarcely  left  a  trace; 
Though  earth-born  love,  its  tears  and  truth, 

No  longer  in  thy  heart  have  place \ 
Nor  time  nor  grief  can  e'er  efface 

The  brighter  hopes  that  now  are  thine, — 
The  fadeless  love, — all  pitying  grai 

That  makes  thy  darkest  hour  divine! 
6  61 


62  SELECTIONS    FROM    SEVERAL    AUTHORS. 

Not  all  alone;  for  thou  canst  hold 

Communion  sweet  with  saint  and  sage. 
And  gather  gems,  of  price  untold, 

From  many  a  pure,  un travelled  pa£ 
Youth's  dreams,  the  golden  lights  of  age, 

The  poet's  love, — are  still  thine  own  ; 
Then,  while  such  themes  thy  thoughts  engage, 

Oh,  how  canst  thou  be  all  alone  ! 

Not  all  alone;  the  lark's  rich  note, 

As  mounting  up  to  Heaven,  she  sings; 
The  thousand  silvery  sounds  that  float 

Above — below — on  morning's  wings  ; 
The  softer  murmurs  twilight  brings, — 

The  cricket's  chirp,  cicala's  glee  ; 
All  earth,  that  lyre  of  myriad  strings, 

Is  jubilant  with  life  for  thee! 

Not  all  alone, — the  whispering  tr< 

The  rippling  brook,  the  starry  sky, — 
Have  each  peculiar  harmonies, 

To  soothe,  subdue,  and  sanctify: 
The  low,  sweet  breath  of  evening's  sigh, 

For  thee  hath  oft  a  friendly  tone, 
To  lift  thy  grateful  thoughts  on  high, — 

To  say — thou  art  not  all  alone  ! 

Not  all  alon<3;   a  watchful  eye. 

That  notes  (he  wandering  sparrow's  fall ; 
A  saving  hand  is  ever  nigh, 

A  gracious  Power  attends  thy  call; 


'       SELECTIONS    FROM    SEVERAL    AUTHORS.  63 

When  sadness  holds  thy  heart  in  thrall, 
Is  oft  his  tenderest  mercy  shown; 

Seek  then  the  balm  vouchsafed  to  all, 
And  thou  canst  never  be  alone! 


THE    POOR. 

BY    JANE    T.   WORTHINGTON. 

Have  pity  on  them!  for  their  life 

Is  full  of  grief  and  care ; 
Ye  do  not  know  one  half  the  woes 

The  very  poor  must  bear  : 
You  do  not  see  the  silent  tears 

By  many  a  mother  shed, 
As  childhood  offers  up  the  prayer, 

"  Give  us  our  daily  bread." 

And  sick  at  heart,  she  turns  away 

From  the  small  face,  wan  with  pain, 
And  feels  that  prayer  has  long  been  said 

By  those  young  lips  in  vain. 
You  do  not  see  the  pallid  cheeks 

Of  those  whose  years  are  few, 
But  who  are  old  in  all  the  griefs 

The  poor  must  struggle  through. 


Gi  SELECTIONS    FROM    SEVERAL    AUTHORS. 

Deal  gently  with  these  wretched  ones, 

Whatever  wrought  their  wo, 
For  the  poor  have  much  to  tempt  and  test 

That  you  can  never  know. 
Then  judge  them  not,  for  hard  indeed 

Is  their  dark  lot  of  care ; 
Let  Heaven  condemn,  but  human  hearts 

With  human  faults  should  bear. 

And  when  within  your  happy  homes 

You  hear  the  voice  of  mirth, 
When  smiling  faces  brighten  round 

The  warm  and  cheerful  hearth, 
Let  charitable  thoughts  go  forth 

For  the  sad  and  homeless  one, 
And  3' our  own  lot  more  blest  will  be 

For  every  kind  deed  done. 
Xow  is  the  time  the  very  poor 

Most  often  meet  your  gaze, — 
Have  mercy  on  them,  in  these  cold 

And  melancholy  *da3^s. 


SELECTIONS    FROM    SEVERAL    AUTHORS.  65 


THE  COMMON  BRAMBLE. 

What  dost  thou  here,  pale  flower? 

Thou  that  afore  wert  never  seen  to  shine 
In  gay  parterre,  or  gentle  lady's  bower, 

In  lover's  wreath  or  poet's  gifted  line. 

Why  from  the  lowly  haunts 

Art  thou  now  called,  to  have  a  place  and  name 
'Mid  buds  whose  beauty  fancy's  e}~e  enchants, 

Whose  fragrance  puts  thy  scentless  leaves  to 
shame. 

'Tis  that,  though  suffering  ill, 

Yea.  spurned  and  trodden  by  each  passer-by, 
Blossom  and  berry  dost  thou  proffer  still, 

As  all  unmindful  of  the  injury. 

Hardest  of  lessons  this, 

To  suffer  wrong  with  meekness — few,  how  few, 
The  hand  which  smites  unjustly  stoop  to  ki- 

Or  blessings  on  their  foeman's  pathway  strew. 

Then  welcome,  lowly  flower, 

Welcome  amid  the  fragrant  and  the  gay; 
For  which  of  all  the  buds  in  summer  bower 

Can  fitter  lesson  to  proud  man  convey  ': 

6* 


66  SELECTIONS    FROM    SEVERAL   AUTHORS. 


GREAT    IN    LITTLE. 

BY    OHAIILES    MACKAY. 

A  traveller  through  a  dusty  road, 

Strewed  acorns  on  the  lea, 
And  one  took  root,  and  sprouted  up, 

And  grew  into  a  tree. 
Love  sought  its  shade  at  evening  time, 

To  breathe  its  early  vows  j 
And  age  was  pleased,  in  heats  of  noon, 

To  bask  beneath  its  boughs  : 
The  dormouse  loved  its  dangling  twigs, 

The  birds  sweet  music  bore  : 
It  stood  a  glory  in  its  place, 

A  blessing  ever  more  ! 

A  little  spring  had  lost  its  way 

Amid  the  grass  and  ferD  : 
A  passing  stranger  scooped  a  well, 

Where  weary  men  might  turn. 
lie  walled  it  in,  and  hung  with  care 

A  ladle  at  the  brink  : 
He  thought  not  of  the  deed  he  did, 

But  judged  that  toil  might  drink. 
He  passed  again;   and  lo  !   the  well, 

By  summers  never  dried, 


SELECTIONS    FROM    SEVERAL   AUTHORS.  67 

Had  cooled  ten  thousand  parching  tongues, 
And  saved  a  life  beside ! 

A  dreamer  dropped  a  random  thought ; 

'Twas  old,  and  yet  'twas  new, — 
A  simple  fancy  of  the  brain, 

But  strong  in  being  true. 
It  shone  upon  a  genial  mind, 

And,  lo  !  its  light  became 
A  lamp  of  light,  a  beacon  ray, 

A  monitory  flame. 
The  thought  was  small — its  issue  great, 

A  watch-fire  on  the  hill, 
It  sheds  its  radiance  far  adown, 

And  cheers  the  valley  still ! 

A  nameless  man  amid  a  crowd 

That  thronged  the  daily  mart, 
Let  fall  a  word  of  hope  and  love, 

Unstudied,  from  the  heart : 
A  whisper  on  the  tumult  thrown, — 

A  transitory  breath, — 
It  raised  a  brother  from  the  dust, 

It  saved  a  soul  from  death, 
O  &;erm  !  0  fount  I  O  word  of  love  J 

O  thought  at  random  cast  ! 
Ye  were  but  little  at  the  first, 

But  mighty  at  the  last. 


68  SELECTIONS    FROM    SEVERAL   AUTHORS. 


HARVEST-FIELD  OF  TIME. 

Keader,  thou  and  I  are  gleaners 
In  the  harvest-field  of  Time; 

Day  by  day  the  grain  is  ripening 
For  a  sunnier  clime. 

"Whether  in  the  earl}'  morning, 

Going  forth  with  busy  feet, 
Or,  as  weary  labourers,  resting 

'Mid  the  noonday  heat. 

Let  us  strive  with  cheerful  spirits 

Each  our  duties  to  fulfil, 
Till  the  time  of  harvest — subject 
To  the  Master's  will. 

Let  us  garner  up  sweet  memories, 

Bound  with  ties  of  love; 
Pleasant  thoughts  to  cheer  the  pathway 

To  our  home  above. 

Trusting  that  these  precious  gleanings, 

Bound  with  loving  hand, 
.May  in  golden  sheaves  be  gathered 

To  the  spirit  land. 


SELECTIONS    FROM    SEVERAL    AUTHORS.  69 


WHO  IS  MY  NEIGHBOUR? 

Thy  neighbour  ?  It  is  he  whom  thou 
Hast  power  to  aid  and  bless; 

Whose  aching  head,  or  burning  brow, 
Thy  soothing  hand  may  p;< 

Thy  neighbour?  'Tie  the  fainting  poor 
Whose  eye  with  want  is  dim. 

Whom  hunger  sends  from  door  to  door,- 
Go  thou,  and  succour  him. 

Thy  neighbour?     ;Tis  that  weary  man 
Whose  years  are  at  their  brim, 

Bent  low  with  sickness,  care,  and  pain,- 
Go  thou,  and  comfort  him. 

Thy  neighbour?     'Tis  that  heart  bereft 

Of  every  earthly  gem  ; 
Widow  and  orphan,  helpless  left, — 

Go  thou,  and  shelter  them. 

Thy  neighbour?     Yonder  toiling  slave, 
Fettered  in  thought  and  limb, 

Whose  hopes  are  all  beyond  the  grave,— 
Go  thou,  and  ransom  him. 


7(1  SELECTIONS    FROM    SEVERAL   AUTIIORS. 

Whene'er  thou  meet'st  a  human  form, 
Less  favoured  than  thine  own, 

.Remember  'tis  thy  neighbour  worm, 
Thy  brother,  or  thy  son. 

Oh,  pass  not  heedless — pass  not  by  ! 

Perhaps  thou  canst  redeem 
The  breaking  heart  from  misery ; 

Go,  share  thy  lot  with  him  ! 


"COULDST  THOU  NOT  WATCH  ONE  HOUR?'* 

The  night  is  dark— behold,  the  shade  was  deeper 

In  the  old  garden  of  Gethsemane, 
When  that  calm  voice  awoke  the  weary  sleeper, 

"  Couldst  thou  not  watch  one  hour  alone  with 
me  ?" 

Oh,  thou  so  weary  of  thy  self-denials, 
And  so  impatient  of  thy  little  cross, 

Is  it  bo  hard  lo  bear  thy  daily  trials, 
To  count  all  earthly  things  as  gainful  loss! 

What  it  thou  always  suffer  tribulation, 
And  it  thy  Christian  warfare  never  cease; 

The  gaining  of  the  quiel  habitation 
Shall  gather  thee  to  everlasting  peace. 


.-ELECTIONS    FROM    SEVERAL    AUTHORS.  71 

But  here  we  all  must  suffer,  walking  lonely 
The  path  that  Jesus  once  himself  hath  gone; 

Watch  thou  in  patience  through  this  hour  only, 
This  one  dark  hour,  before  the  eternal  dawn 

The  captive's  oar  may  pause  upon  the  galley, 
The  soldier  sleep  beneath  his  plumed  cr 

Vnd  peace  may  fold  her  wing  o'er  hill  and  valley, 
But  thou,  O  Christian,  must  not  take  thy  rest. 

Thou  must  walk  on,  however  man  upbraid  thee, 
With  Him  who  trod  the  winepress  all  alone; 

Thou  wilt  not  find  one  human  hand  to  aid  thee, 
One  human  soul  to  comprehend  thine  own. 

Heed  not  the  images  forever  thronging 
From  out  the  foregone  life  thou  livest  no  more; 

Faint-hearted  mariner,  still  art  thou  longing 
For  the  dim  line  of  the  receding  shore? 

Wilt  thou  find  rest  of  soul  in  thy  returning 
To  that  old  path  thou  hast  so  vainly  trod  ? 

Hast  thou  forgotten  all  thy  weary  yearning 
To  walk  among  the  children  of  thy  God? 

Faithful  and  steadfast  in  their  consecration. 

Living  by  that  high  faith,  to  thee  so  dim, 
Declaring  before  God  their  dedication, 

So  far  from  thee,  because  so  near  to  Him. 


72  SELECTIONS    FROM    SEVERAL    AUTHORS. 

Canst  thou  forget  thy  Christian  superscription, 
"  Behold  we  count  them  happy  which  en  dare  J" 

What  treasure  wouldst  thou,  in  the  land  Egyp- 
tian, 
Eepass  the  stormy  water  to  secure  ? 

And  wilt  thou  yield  thy  sure  and  glorious  pro- 
mise 

For  the  poor  fleeting  joys  earth  can  afford? 
No  hand  can  take  away  the  treasure  from  us 

That  rests  within  the  keeping  of  the  Lord. 

Poor  wandering   soul  !    I  know  that   thou  art 
seeking 

Some  easier  way,  as  all  have  sought  before, 
To  silence  the  reproachful  inward  speaking, — 

Some  landward  path  unto  an  island  shore  ! 

The  cross  is  heavy  in  thy  human  measure, 
The  way  too  narrow  for  thine  inward  pride, 

Thou  canst  not  lay  thine  intellectual  treasure 
At  the  low  footstool  of  the  Crucified. 

Oh  !  that  thy  faithless  soul,  for  one  hour  only 
Would    comprehend    the   Christian's    porfect 
life, — 

Despised  with  Jesus,  sorrowful  and  lonely, 
Yet  calmly  looking  upward  iii  its  strife. 


SELECTIONS    FROM    SEVERAL    AUTHORS.  73 

For  poverty  and  self-renunciation, 

Their  Father  yieldeth  back  a  thousand-fold  , 
In  the  calm  stillness  of  regeneration, 

Cometh  a  joy  they  never  knew  of  old. 

In  meek  obedience  to  the  heavenly  Teacher, 
Thy  weary  soul  can  only  find  its  peace ; 

Seeking  no  aid  from  any  human  creature, 
Looking  to  God  alone  for  His  release. 


THE    PILGRIMS    WANTS. 

I  want  a  sweet  sense  of  Thy  pardoning  love, 
That  my  manifold  sins  are  forgiven ; 

That  Christ  as  my  advocate  pleadeth  above, 
That  my  name  is  recorded  in  heaven. 

I  want  every  moment  to  feel 

That  Thy  Spirit  resides  in  my  heart; 

That  His  power  is  present  to  cleanse  and  to  heal, 
And  newness  of  life  to  impart, 

I  want,  oh  !  I  want  to  attain 

Some  likeness,  my  Saviour,  to  Thee! 

That  longed-for  resemblance  once  more  to  regain, 
Thy  comeliness  put  upon  me. 

7 


<4  SELECTIONS    FROM    SEVERAL   AUTHORS. 

I  want  to  be  marked  for  Thine  own, 
Thy  seal  on  my  forehead  to  wear; 

To  receive  that  new  name  on  the  mystic  white 
stone 
Which  none  but  Thyself  can  declare. 

I  want  so  in  Thee  to  abide 

As  to  bring  forth  some  fruit  to  Thy  praise ; 
The  branch  which  Thou  prunest,  though  feeble 
and  dried, 

May  languish,  but  never  decays 

I  want  Thine  own  hand  to  unbind 

Each  tic  to  terrestrial  things, 
Too  tenderly  cherished,  too  closely  entwin'd, 

Where  my  heart  so  tenaciously  clings. 

I  want,  by  my  aspect  serene, 

My  actions  and  words,  to  declare, 
That  my  treasure  is  placed  in  a  country  unseen, 

That  my  heart's  best  affections  are  there. 

I  want  as  a  traveller  to  haste 

Straight  onward,  nor  pause  on  my  way; 
Tjv  forethought  in  anxious  com  rivance  to  waste 

On  the  tent  only  pitched  for  a  day. 

1  want — and  this  sums  up  my  prayer — 

To  glorify  Thee  till  I  die; 
Then  calmly  to  yield  up  my  soul  to  Thy  care, 

And  breathe  out  in  fkith  my  last  sigh  ! 


SELECTIONS    FROM    SEVERAL    AUTHORS. 


THE    WATER-LILY. 

)LhB}  thou  art  day's  own  flower — for,  when  he's 
fled, 

Sorrowing  thou  dropp'st   beneath  the  wave  thy 

head  ; 
And   watching,   weeping,  through  the  livelong 

night, 
Look'st  forth  impatient  for  the  dawning  light \ 
And.  as  it  brightens  into  perfect  d; 
Does  from  the  inmost  fold  thy  breast  display. 

Oh  would  that  I.  from  earth's  defilement  i'r 
Could  bare  my  to  the  light  like  thee  ! 

But.  ah  !   I  feel  within  a  blighting  power 
Marring    each    grace,    like    hidden    worm    the 
flower  : 

And  trembling,  shrinking,  gladly  would  I  fly 
That  "  light  of  light."  Jehovah's  piercing  eye. 

Yet  whither  can  I  go? — Oh.  there's  a  wave 
Where  he  wh  J  may  lave  : 

There  would  I  plunge,  and  sad,  not  hopeless,  lie 
Waiting  the  first  fair  day-spring 
Then,  glad  emergi  m, 

Welcome  like  thee,  sweet  flower,  the   dawning 
am. 


76  SELECTIONS    FROM    SEVERAL    AUTHORS. 

"THE  FORMER  THINGS  ARE  PASSED  AWAY." 

BY    AN    INSANE    GIRL. 

No  night  is  there. 
No  midnight  gloom  that  blessed  country  shades, 
The  brightness  of  its  glory  never  fades  : 
No  darkness  intercepts  the  blissful  sight 
Of  heavenly  scenes  arrayed  in  purest  light, 
Where  saints  and  angels  joyfully  adore, 
And  serve,  and  praise  their  Maker  evermore. 

No  pain  is  there ! 
Disease  approaches  not  that  lovely  land, 
No  sufferings  now  afflict  the  radiant  band 
Of  blessed  ones  who  dwell  with  Jesus  there, 
The  crown,  but  never  more  the  cross  to  bear : 
Distress  and  anguish  may  not  enter  in 
A  world  of  bliss  where  there  is  no  more  sin  ! 

No  grief  is  there. 
No  broken  hearts  and  wounded  spirits  sigh, 
Trouble  and  anguish  are  no  Longer  nigh; 
No  partings  rend  the  soul,  no  tears  How  there, 
No  Badness,  disappointment,  and  despair; 
Bui  pleasure  tills  thai  blessed  Eome  above, 
And  all  is  peace  and  happiness  and  love. 


SELECTIONS    FROM    SEVERAL    AUTHORS.  t  i 

No  curse  is  there. 
No  thorns  and  briers  in  Paradise  can  grow, 
No  billows  foam,  nor  angry  tempests  blow, 
No  parched  grounds  and  deserts  drear  and  vast; 
The  earthquake's  shock  and  whirlwind's   rage 

have  passed, 
The  lightning's  flash  and  thunder's  solemn  roar 
In  that  blessed  clime  are  seen  and  heard  no  more. 

No  death  is  there. 
No  blighted  buds  and  withered  blossoms  lie 
On  that  fair  ground,  to  fade  away  and  die  : 
No  churchyard-graves   with   mournful  meaning 

tell 
There  lie  below  the  forms  once  loved  so  well ! 
But  life  immortal  blooms  through  endless  day; 
And  death  in  every  shape  has  pass'd  away ! 


78  SELECTIONS    FROM    SEVERAL   AUTHORS. 


'TIS  A  POINT  I  LONG  TO  KNOW. 

BY    DANIEL    HERBERT. 

What  is  the  point  you  long  to  know  ? 

Methinks  I  hear  you  say — "lis  this  : 
I  want  to  know  I'm  born  of  God, 

An  heir  of  everlasting  bliss. 

Is  this  the  point  you  long  to  know  ? 

The  point  is  settled  in  my  view; 
For  if  you  want  to  love  your  God, 

It  proves  that  God  has  loved  you. 

I  want  to  know  Christ  died  for  me  ; 

I  want  to  feel  the  seals  within  : 
I  want  to  know  Christ's  precious  blood 

Was  shed  to  wash  away  my  sin. 

I  want  to  feel  more  love  to  God, 
I  want  more  liberty  in  prayer; 

But  when  I  look  WiwAin  my  heart, 
It  almost  drives  me  to  despair. 

I  want  a  mind  more  firmly  fixed 
On  If,  my  Everlasting  Sead  : 

I  want  to  feel  my  soul  alive, 
And  not  so  barren  and  so  dead. 


SELECTIONS    FROM    SEVERAL    AUTHORS.  79 

I  want  more  faith — a  stronger  faith, 
I  want  to  feel  its  power  within; 

I  want  to  feel  more  love  to  God; 
I  want  to  feel  less  love  to  sin. 

I  want  to  live  above  the  world, 

And  count  it  all  but  trash  and  toys; 

I  want  sweet  tokens  of  God's  grace, 
Some  foretastes  of  eternal  joys. 

I  want — I  know  not  what  I  want, 

I  want  that  real  special  good; 
Yet  all  my  wants  are  summed  up  here, 

I  want — I  feel  I  want  my  God  ! 


I 


Is  this  the  point  you  long  to  know? 

The  dead  can  neither  feel  nor  see, 
It  is  the  slave  that's  bound  in  chains 

Who  knows  the  worth  of  liberty. 

So,  where  a  want  like  yours  is  found, 
I  think  I  may  be  bold  to  say, — ■ 

The  Lord  has  fixed  within  that  heart 
AVhat  hell  can  never  take  away. 

However  small  thy  grace  appears. 

There's  plenty  in  thy  precious  Head: 
Those  wants  you  feel,  my  Christian  friends, 

Are  never  found  among  the  dead. 


80  SELECTIONS   FROM    SEVERAL   AUTHORS. 


AFFLICTION. 

How  tenderly  thy  hand  is  laid, 

O  Lord,  upon  thy  child  ! 
How  gently  is  the  rough  wind  stayed, 

When  eastern  blasts  are  wild  ! 

So  graciously  our  cup  is  crowned, 
And  mixed  with  loving  care, 

The  drops  of  bitterness  are  found 
The  best  ingredients  there. 

The  flame  that  should  our  dross  destroy 

So  tempered  is  by  Thee, 
Instead  of  pain,  a  place  of  joy 

The  furnace  proves  to  be. 

Though  every  earthly  lamp  may  fade, 
We  count  the  darkness  sweet, 

For  in  the  gloom,  and  in  the  shade, 
Our  Saviour's  steps  we  meet. 

0  Father!   we  will  ask  thee  not 

In  blessing  to  remove 
The  erook  that  marks  our  mortal  lot, 

But  point  it  with  thy  love. 


SELECTIONS   PROM    SEVERAL   AUTHORS.  81 


MAKE  ME  TO  GO  IN  THE  PATH  OF  THY 
COMMANDMENTS. 

When  from  that  path  Thou  hast  appointed  me 
I  wander,  hedge  my  way  about,  O  Lord : 
To  that  perforce  I  must  return  to  Thee ; 

Where  snares  and  dangers  be, 
There  plant  thine  Angel  and  avenging  sword ! 

When    to    thy    Throne    my    imperfect   prayers 

ascend, 
Dear  Lord,  consider  well  what  I  entreat; 
Judge  my  unwise  complaint,  and  condescend 
To   make    it   good:    so    winnowing   chaff    from 

wheat, 
That  only  what  is  meet 
For  fruit  again,  in  answer  shall  descend. 

When  'twixt  two  paths  I  halt,  nor  know  the  way, 
O  leave  me  not  to  guess,  Thyself  decide  ! 
Be  thy  controlling  hand  my  guide,  my  stay; 

Suffer  me  not  to  stray, 
Rather  compel  me  closer  to  Thy  side. 


82  SELECTIONS    FROM    SEVERAL    AUTHORS. 


FROM    THE    PEN  OF  THE    LATE    RIGHT    HON.  SIR 
ROBERT  GRANT, 

GOVERNOR-GENERAL    OF    INDIA. 

"Blessed  is  the  man  whom  thou  chasteneth." — Psalm  xiv.  12. 

Saviour  !  whose  mercy,  severe  in  its  kindness, 
Has  chastened  my  wanderings,  and   guided 
my  way; 
Adored  be  the  power  which  illumined  my  blind- 
ness, 
And  weaned  me  from  phantoms  that  smiled 
to  betray. 

Enchanted  with  all  that  was  dazzling  and  fair, 
I  followed  the  rainbow — I  caught  at  the  toy, — 

And  still  in  displeasure  thy  goodness  was  there, 
Disappointing  the  hope  and  defeating  the  joy. 

The  blossom  blushed  bright, — but  a  worm  was 
below ; 
The  moonlight  shone   fair, — there  was  blight 
in  the  beam ; 
et  whispered  the  breeze, — but  it  whispered 
of  woe ; 
An  J    bitterness    flowed    in    the    soft-flowing 
earn. 


SELECTIONS    FROM    SEVERAL   AUTHORS.  83 

So,  cured  of  my  folly,  yet  cured  but  in  part, 
I  turned  to  the  refuge  thy  pity  displayed; 

And  still  did  this  eager  and  credulous  heart 
Weave  visions  of  promise  that  bloomed  but  to 
fade. 

I  thought    that   the    course  of   the    pilgrim  in 
heaven 
Would  be  bright  as  the  summer,  and  glad  as 
the  morn; 
Thou  show'dst  me  the  path — it  was  dark   and 
uneven, 
All  rugged  with  rock,  and  all  tangled  with 
thorn. 

I  dreamed  of  celestial  rewards  and  renown ; 
I  grasped  at  the  triumph  which  blesses  the 
brave ; 
I  asked  for  the  palm  branch,  the  robe,  and  the 
crown ; 
I  asked — and  thou  show'dst  me  a  cross  and  a 
grave. 

Subdued  and  instructed  at  length  to  thy  will, 
My    hopes    and    my    longing    I    fain    would 
resign  : 
O   give   me    the    heart    that    can   wait    and    be 
still, 
Kor  know  of  a  wish  or  a  pleasure  but  thine. 


84  SELECTIONS    FROM    SEVERAL   AUTHORS. 

There  arc  mansions  exempted  from  sin  and  from 
woe, 
But  they  stand  in  a  region  by  mortals  untrod; 
There    are    rivers    of  joy, — but    they   roll   not 
below; 
There  is  rest — but  it  dwells  in  the  presence 
of  God. 


RHODODENDRON. 


"Gem  of  the  Alps !  'tis  strange  to  trace 

Aught  beautiful  as  thou, 
Glad'ning  the  'solitary  place' 

With  unexpected  glow. 
Yet,  bright  one  !  cold  thy  bed  must  be, 
Ami  harsh  thy  evening-lullaby. 
Would  thou  wert  planted  in  the  bower 
Which  summer  weaves  for  bird  and  flower. 
And  rock'd  to  slumber  by  the  gale 
She  breathes  in  yonder  sunny  vale  ! 

"Oh  tell  me  not  of  valley  fair, 

Where  sweeter  flowerets  bloom  ; 
I  too  have  sun  and  healthful  air 

In  this  mv  mountain-home. 


SELECTIONS    FROM    SEVERAL   AUTHORS.  85 

Yet  stranger,  doth  thy  sympathy 

Demand  some  poor  return  from  me ; 
And  what  if  I,  frail  lowly  thing, 
Such  lesson  to  thine  heart  might  bring, 
That  thou,  in  after  hour,  shouldst  bless 
The  floweret  of  the  wilderness. 

"Deem'st    thou   these    snows  scarce   fitting 
bower 

For  aught  so  fair  as  I  ? 
Oh  know  that  One  whose  will  is  power 

Has  shaped  my  destiny. 
He  spake  me  into  being;  shed 
His  sunshine  on  my  Alpine  bed ; 
Bade  the  strong  blast,  which  shook  the  pine, 
Pass  harmless  o'er  this  head  of  mine; 
And  gently  reared  my  early  bloom 
Olid  snows  which  else  had  been  my  tomb. 

"  Yiew  in  this  mountain's  frozen  breast 
An  emblem  true  of  thine, 
So  cold,  so  hard,  till  on  it  rest 
A  beam  of  light  divine. 

Feel'st  thou  this  life-inspiring  ray? 

If  not — then  upward  look,  and  pray, 

That  lie,  who  made  these  mountain  snows 

A  cradle  for  the  opening  rose, 

Would  deep  within  thine  heart  embower 

A  brighter  far  than  earthly  flower  " 


86  SELECTIONS    FROM    SEVERAL   AUTHORS. 


EVENING  PRIMROSE. 

"  The  sun  his  latest  beam  has  shed; 
The  wild-bird  to  its  nest  has  sped; 
And  buds,  which  to  the  day-beam  spread 

Their  brightest  glow,     • 
Incline  their  dew-besprinkled  head 

In  slumber  now. 

"Then  why  art  thou  lone  vigils  keeping, 
Pale  flower,  when  all  beside  are  sleeping  ? 
Are  not  the  same  soft  zephyrs  sweeping 

Each  slender  stem, 
And  the  same  opiate  dewdrops  steeping 

Both  thee  and  them  t" 

fi  Eve  is  my  noon.     At  this  still  hour, 
When  softly  sleeps  each  sister  flower, 
Sole  watcher  of  the  dusky  bower 

I  joy  to  be; 
And,  conscious,  feel  the  pale  moon  shower 

Her  light  on  me. 

"Soon  as  meek  evening  veils  the  sky, 
And  wildly  fresh  her  breeze  Hits  by, 
And  on  my  brest  the  dewdrops  lie, 

1  feel  to  live  ; 
And  what  of  mine  is  fragrancy, 
I  freely  give. 


SELECTIONS    FROM    SEVERAL   AUTHORS.  87 

"Say  thou,  who  thus  dost  question  me, 
Wouldst  thou  from  earth's  dull  cares  be  free  ? 
O  listen,  and  I'll  counsel  thee 

Wisely  to  shun 
Tumult,  and  glare,  and  vanity, 

As  I  have  done. 

"Enter  thy  closet,  shut  the  door, 
And  heavenward  let  thy  spirit  soar; 
Then  softer  dews  than  bathe  the  flower 

On  thee  shall  rest, 
And  beams  which  sun  nor  moon  can  pour 
Illume  thy  breast. " 


THE   PILGRIM. 


Still  onward  through  this  land  of  foes 

I  pass  in  pilgrim  guise ) 
I  may  not  stop  to  seek  repose 

Where  cool  the  shadow  lies. 
I  may  not  stoop  amid  the  grass 

To  pluck  earth's  fairest  flowers, 
JSror  by  her  springing  fountains  pass 

The  sultry  noontide  hours 


SELECTIONS    FROM    SEVERAL   AUTHORS. 

Yet  flowers  I  wear  upon  my  breast 

That  no  earth-garden  knows, — 
White  lilies  of  immortal  peace, 

And  love's  deep-tinted  rose; 
And  there  the  blue-eyed  flowers  of  faith, 

And  hope's  bright  buds  of  gold, 
As  lone  I  tread  the  upward  path, 

In  richest  hues  unfold. 

I  keep  my  armour  ever  on, 

For  foes  beset  my  way  ; 
I  watch,  lest  passing  on  alone 

I  fall  a  helpless  prey. 
No  earthly  love  have  I — I  lean 

Upon  no  mortal  breast ; 
But  my  Beloved,  though  unseen, 

Walks  near  and  gives  me  rest. 

Afar,  around,  I  often  see, 

Throughout  this  desert  wide, 
His  pilgrims  pressing  on  like  me, — 

They  often  pass  my  side : 
The  kindly  smile,  the  gentle  word, 

For  Jesus'  sake  I  give ; 
But  love — O  Thou  alone  adored  ! 

For  Thee  alone  I  live. 

Painful  and  dark  the  pathway  seems 
To  distant  earthly  ej 

They  only  see  the  hedging  thorns 
On  either  side  that  ri 


SELECTIONS   FROM    SEVERAL   AUTHORS.  89 

They  cannot  know  how  soft  between 
The  flowers  of  love  are  strown, — 

The  sunny  ways,  the  pastures  green, 
Where  Jesus  leads  His  own  : 

They  cannot  see,  as  darkening  clouds 

Behind  the  pilgrim  close, 
How  far  ad  own  the  western  glade 

The  golden  glory  flows ; 
They  cannot  hear  'mid  earthly  din 

The  song  to  pilgrims  known, 
Still  blending  with  the  angels'  hymn 

Around  the  wondrous  throne. 

So  I  Thy  bounteous  token-flowers 

Still  on  my  bosom  wear ; 
While  me  the  fleeting  love-winged  hours 

To  Thee  still  nearer  bear; 
So  from  my  lips  Thy  song  shall  flow, 

My  sweetest  music  be; 
So  on  mine  eyes  the  glory  grow, 

Till  all  is  lost  in  Thee. 


»• 


90  SELECTIOxXS    FROM    SEVERAL    AUTHORS. 


THE  WATER  AND  THE  FLOWER. 

A    MEMORY. 

One  quiet  eve,  some  years  ago,  whilst  lingering 

by  a  stile, 
That  ran  along  a  wayside  path,  to  watch  the 

clouds  a  while, 
Ere  thought  had  lifted  from  my  heart  the  shadow 

of  her  wing, 
I  saw  a  child — a  little  girl — returning  from  the 

spring. 
Her  well-filled  pitcher  lightly  pressed  her  curls 

of  silken  hair, 
Supported  by  a  tiny  hand,  and  she  was  very  fair, 
With  something  in  her  sunny  face  pure  as  the 

sky  above, 
And  something  in  her  gentle  eye  that  guardian 

angels  love. 

A  little  flower,  blossoming  a  step  or  so  aside. 
This   happy  child  of  innocence  with  sudden  joy 

espied, 
Then  letting  down   her  pitcher  with  the  same 

sweet,  joyous  song, 
She    watered    it,    half-laughingly,    and    gayly 

tripped  along; 


SELECTIONS    FROM    SEVERAL    AUTHORS.  9l 

The  flower  seemed  to  raise  its  head,  bowed  by  a 
summer's  sun, 

And  smile  beneath  the  act  which  she  uncon- 
sciously had  done, 

Whilst  wandering  on  with  fairy  tread,  as  merry 
as  before, 

[  saw  her  pass  the  garden-gate,  and  close  the 
the  cottage-door. 

Oh !  often  when  this  little  scene  has  crossed  my 

thoughts  again, 
Fve  wondered  if — with  all  the  love  that  warmed 

her  spirit  then — 
This  little  girl  has  tripped  through  life  as  joyous 

to  the  last, 
Eefreshing  all  the  weary  hearts  that  met  her  as 

she  passed  : 
If  with  unconscious  tenderness  her  heart  has 

paused  to  bless 
The  poor  amid  their  poverty,  the  sad  in  their 

distress, 
Still  following  up  God's  teachings,  day  by  day, 

and  hour  by  hour, 
Foreshadowed  in  that  simple  scene — the  water 

and  the  flower : — 

If  with  a  song  as  pure  and  sweet,  that  voice  has 

hushed  to  rest 
The  troubles  of  an  aching  heart,  a  sorrow-laden 

breast ; 


92  SELECTIONS   FROM    SEVERAL   AUTHORS. 

If  to  the  wayside  wanderer,  where'er  her  steps 

have  led, 
The  pitcher  has  been  lowered  ever  kindly  from 

her  head. 
O  !  holy,  happy  Charity !  how  many  pleasures 

lost 
By  those  who  have  not  known   thee,  had  been 

worthy  of  the  cost; 
How  many  heads  a  blessing  from  a  better  world 

have  borne 
Whilst  lowering  the  pitcher  to  the  weary  and 

the  worn. 

Thou  who  hast  stood  beside  God's  spring  of  bless- 
ings day  by  day, 
To  fill  the  pitcher  of  thy  wants,  and   carry  it 

away ) 
The  poor  and  the  dejected — whom  God   hath 

willed  to  roam — 
Arc  resting  by  the  wayside  that  leads  thee  to 

thy  home ! 
Oh  !  let  thy  heart  beat  ever  quick  in  actions  kind 

totbe; 
Remember  Him  whose  bounty  has  at  all  times 

followed  thee, 
And   deem   it  not  a  trouble,  in   the  wayside  or 

the  town, 
To    linger    where    the    weary    are,   and    let    the 

pitcher  down. 

A.  Jl.  s. 


SELECTIONS    FROM    SEVERAL    AUTHORS.  9H 


"NOTHING  BUT  LEAVES." 

Nothing  but  leaves.     The  Spirit  grieves 

Over  a  wasted  life : 
Sin  committed  while  conscience  slept ; 
Promises  made,  but  never  kept, 

Hatred,  battle,  and  strife — 
Nothing  but  leaves ! 

Nothing  but  leaves ;  no  gathered  sheaves 

Of  life's  fair  ripened  grain  j 
Words,  idle  words,  for  earnest  deeds ; 
We  sow  our  seeds — io  !  tares  and  weeds ; 

We  reap  with  toil  and  pain 
Nothing  but  leaves. 

Nothing  but  leaves ;  memory  weaves 

No  veil  to  screen  the  past ; 
As  we  retrace  our  weary  way, 
Counting  each  lost  and  misspent  day, 

We  sadly  find  at  last 

Nothing  but  leaves. 

And  shall  we  meet  the  Master  so, 

Bearing  our  withered  leaves? 
The  Saviour  looks  for  perfect  fruit, — 
We  stand  before  him,  humbled,  mute, 
Waiting  the  word  he  breathes, — 
"Nothing  but  leaves." 


94  SELECTIONS   FROM    SEVERAL   AUTHORS. 


THE  TWO  PRAYERS. 

"  Two  hands  upon  the  breast, 
And  labor  is  done ; 
Two  pale  feet  crossed  in  rest, 

The  race  is  won; 
Two  eyes  with  coin-weights  shut, 

And  all  tears  cease  5 
Two  lips  where  grief  is  mute, 
And  wrath  at  peace." 
So  pray  we  oftentimes,  mourning  our  lot ; 
God  in  his  kindness  answereth  not. 

"  Two  hands  to  work  addressed, 
Aye  for  his  praise; 
Two  feet  that  never  rest 

Walking  his  ways  j 
Two  eyes  that  look  above, 

Still,  through  all  tears ; 
Two  lips  that  breathe  but  love, 
Never  more  fears/' 
So  pray  we  afterward,  low  at  our  knees; 
Pardon  those  erring  prayers  I  rather,  hear  thes< 


SELECTIONS   FROM    SEVERAL    AUTHORS.  95 


DEEDS  OF  KINDNESS. 

Suppose  the  little  cowslip 

Should  hang  its  golden  cup, 
And  say,  "I'm  such  a  tiny  flower 

Td  better  not  grow  up  :" 
How  man}'  a  weary  traveller 

Would  miss  its  fragrant  smell! 
How  many  a  little  child  would  grieve 

To  lose  it  from  the  dell ! 

Suppose  the  glistening  dewdrop 

Upon  the  grass  should  say, 
"What  can  a  little  dewdrop  do? 

Td  better  roll  away  :" 
The  blade  on  which  it  rested, 

Before  the  day  was  done, 
Without  a  drop  to  moisten  it, 

Would  wither  in  the  sun. 

Suppose  the  little  breezes, 

Upon  a  summer's  day, 
Should  think  themselves  too  small  to  cool 

The  traveller  on  his  way ; 


96  SELECTIONS    FROM    SEVERAL    AUTHORS. 

Who  would  miss  the  smallest 
And  softest  ones  that  blow, 

And  think  they  made  a  great  mistake 
If  they  were  talking  so  I 

How  many  deeds  of  kindness 

A  little  child  may  do, 
Although  it  has  so  little  strength, 

And  little  wisdom  too. 
It  wants  a  loving  spirit, 

Much  more  than  strength,  to  prove 
How  many  things  a  child  may  do 

For  others  by  his  love. 


THE   END. 


1MIII.\]iKI."III\ 


